Canon Announces EOS 1D Mark IV!

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. - Canon USA announced, today, that the new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera will be arriving at authorized dealers in late December of 2009. In a press release, Canon said, "The EOS-1D Mark IV is a high-speed multimedia performance monster with a 16-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors, and 14-bit A/D data conversion, all at 10 frames-per-second (fps), with the widest ISO range Canon has produced to date. This new camera also features 1080p Full High-Definition video capture at selectable frame rates packaged in Canon's most rugged and durable professional camera body."

Above and beyond SLRs of the past, Canon says this is one of the most rugged and durable body designs it has ever manufactured. Completely weather-resistant, the EOS 1d Mark IV features 76 gaskets and seals protecting all buttons and seams on the body, which surrounds a rigid magnesium-alloy chassis.

Even with all that, Canon says the crowning achievement of the 1D Mark IV Digital SLR is its new autofocus system that starts with 45 AF points including 39 high-precision cross-type focusing points capable of tracking fast moving athletes or wildlife accurately at speeds up to 10 frames per second. With greater subject detection capability than ever before plus a newly redesigned AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera sets new standards for autofocus performance among professional digital SLRs.

The EOS 1D Mark IV looks to be another strong step forward in the evolution of the professional EOS lineup. At a $4,999 estimated street retail price, Canon will be asking you to open your wallets to obtain one, however. Also, with inventory being at all-time lows, one should not expect to call up your favorite online shop or walk into your local store and find a dozen sitting on the shelf. This one could be hard to find until well into 2010, but I know guys like Best Price Audio Video will be offering a pre-order option as soon as they know more specifics about price and availability.

New 2nd Gen 8GB Flip Video MinoHD - Twice The Capacity, Still Just As Much Fun

Now you can record 120 minutes of 720p HD video on a Flip MinoHD - Just be sure to purchase the 2nd Gen, 8GB model and not the original 4GB one.

Flip Video, by Pure Digital (A Cisco-owned company), has really had a hit on its hands since introducing the Flip Mino and Ultra pocket sized digital camcorders. The compact recorders made their mark by being very portable and being very easy to use for both recording and sharing recorded media, and the new 2nd Gen MinoHD should only add to the value of the lineup.

The new Flip MinoHD features 8GB of embedded memory, two hours of 720p recording time, 2-inch transflective screen to eliminate glare in direct sunlight, and HDMI output for direct digital connection to an HDTV. It joins the original Flip MinoHD, at $199 with one-hour recording time, and the non-HD Flip Mino, at $149.

The new MinoHD also adds brushed-metal finish, slightly rounder design and touch-sensitive buttons. Other features include 960 by 240-pixel display resolution, built-in omni-directional microphone, speaker with software volume control, rechargeable two-hour lithium-ion battery, widescreen TV output and 2x digital zoom.

Check out the new MinoHD, here: http://store.theflip.com/MinoHD120.aspx . It should also be avilable in retail stores soon and at places like Best Price Audio Video and NewEgg.

Apple Mighty Mouse To Be Made Mightier

The Apple Mighty Mouse has been a great mouse, in my opinion. However, it's difficult to understand why a company would do away with one problematic track ball and simply add another somewhere else. Anyone who has used a Mighty Mouse knows that the scroll ball on the top of the mouse is just as annoying as the track balls were in the mice of years ago. They are constantly getting mucked up and require regular cleanings or at least regular work to regain responsiveness or even any ability to scroll up and down on the screen. It's just bizarre that a company supposedly as savvy as Apple would make the effort to make the mouse a laser device in order to alleviate the problem on one hand, and then add the problem back into the equation with the next action.

Well Apple has undoubtedly noticed this as well, and now appears ready to take action on improving the situation by neutering the Mighty Mouse and going only with multi-touch technology and expanding on the touch-sensitive chassis - no more balls. (come on, it's too easy). Though I'll be excited to see this "advancement" you can't help but wonder, "what were they thinking?", by including the mechanical ball on the mouse in the first place. Remember, this was added to the mouse as an evolution of the pro mouse to make it better.

Anyway, it sounds like this could happen sooner, rather than later. Hard to tell if this will be avilable for the holidays or if we'll have to wait until next year to see the evolution of the Mighty Mouse, but things definitely seem under way, here. One thing's for sure, there sure to be a lot of people interested in neutering their Mighty Mice. Okay... I'll stop on that one.

Yamaha Expands iPod Speaker Lineup

Yamaha has announced new iPod compatible desktop audio products to further bolster their lineup in the segment. Recently, Yamaha had released the TSX-120 and the TSX-130 audio systems which seem to have been received warmly by the crowd looking for higher-end audio accessories for their iPods. Now, Yamaha is announcing products like the PDX-130 Player/Dock and even going so far as to make items available in multiple color options to suit those who need a little extra spice on their table-tops. More models are to become available in October and right before the holidays, as well.

Best Price Audio Video has a great selection of Yamaha products and you can check out all of the currently available Yamaha iPod speaker systems and docks, here.

Navigon iPhone GPS App - Wow, Where'd THIS come from?

So Navigon - yes, the same brand easily called Navi-GONE after they completely failed to make an impact on the US market with their oversized, super-slow GPS handheld units that their reps told dealers would "out sell Garmin 2 - 1" (Riiiiight) - resurfaces over here with an iPhone app, called MobileNavigator. It was available starting in late July and has earned a fair reputation out there even though most of the discussion has been about the TomTom iPhone GPS app. Now, Navigon has updated their app with some nice features; namely text-to-speech, iPod control and location sharing. This is a surprising revival of a brand I admittedly thought was long gone.

With the car kit already out, a decent interface, nice app response time thanks to the app being mostly stored right on the iPhone's internal storage and some enhanced navigational views this is a very strong app and one that TomTom surely has taken note of. TomTom is familiar with Navigon as both companies really grew up and honed their brands in Europe first, but now competition for the millions of iPhone users around the world is sure to heat up the competition between the two, once again.

HotHardware has a nice write-up on the new Navigon MobileNavigator updates.

New iPod Nano Hans On (Gizmodo)

Solid review and some pics of the new iPod Nano from Gizmodo, here. Also, check out the comments below - hillarious how bent out of shape people can get while reviewing life-critical products such as one's iPod. I especially love the one from zfleeman - "Apple took a big dump on my face by not putting a camera in the iPod touch". Come on... really? Really? Wipe your face off zfleeman, I'm betting you'll live - or you'll just have to do with the cell phone camera or pocket sized powershot or coolpix you're probably packing already.

And yes, to confirm, there is no still photo capability in the new iPod touch - as of today anyway.

iPhone MMS Arrives September 25th, But AT&T Network Concerns Loom

From Consumer Reports Blog:

Finally, AT&T, the exclusive carrier for iPhone, this week announced that that it would make good on its promise to offer MMS. It will be available by September 25 to owners of the iPhone 3G and 3G S.

Despite the promise, there are growing signs that the carrier’s data network may already be overstretched, suffering more than the usual network congestion. As the New York Times noted this week, AT&T is facing increasing ire from iPhone users, especially in certain cities, as networks slow as iPhone owners swell in numbers and employ a growing range of apps and functions.

Things are so tight that back in July, AT&T 3G data service went offline, leaving iPhone users stranded on the much slower 2G network. Apparently, the New York Times reports, the network slowdowns primarily affect users in large cities, where there is a higher concentration of iPhone users vying for the same resources.

There are rumors that iPhone may be coming to Verizon, a top-rated carrier that has a very strong and fast 3G network. But Verizon, too, may find iPhone too much of a data guzzler for its renowned 3G network. And it won’t be just iPhone. Other cell users have fallen hard for social networking apps like Facebook and Twitter, as well as other apps that reports stocks, weather, sports scores—which continuously draw on carrier data networks—can easily bring any carrier to its knees.

One ray of hope is the next-generation cell network called 4G, which provides a much fatter pipe for handling data, plus it’s many times faster to accommodate high-definition video streams, movie downloads, and other forms of network-choking entertainment. In theory, at least, it’s even fatter and faster than the broadband connections people have at home. But best estimates for practical 4G deployment is at least several years away.

—Mike Gikas, Consumer Reports

BPAV Launches Long Awaited Beta Site

Good Day Everyone,

My friends at BPAV have launched a new site that they tell me is essentially a secure and working BETA for superior order and content management. One of the more important features for their site is an enhanced SEO module that completely changes the way their links appear throughout the web. So if you're linking to them, consider updating your pages to link to the new pages. Here's some of their most popular pages:

Best Price Audio Video Electronics Shopping Home Page - http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/

Best Price Audio Video Home Audio Category - http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/home-audio/

Best Price Audio Video HDTV & Video Products Category - http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/hdtv-video/

Best Price Audio Video Cameras & Camcorders Category - http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/digital-cameras/

Best Price Audio Video GPS & Outdoor Products Category - http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/gps-outdoor/

Best Price Audio Video Gaming Products Category - http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/gaming/

Best Price Audio Video Office & Phones Category - http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/office-phones/

The site still works with the shortened BPAV.com domain name as well, it will redirect you or your visitors. From what I have been told, there will be a couple weeks needed to work some kinks out, but that the site is completely secure for checkout purposes and ordering, and that the last pieces to add to the system will include an upgraded customer returns system and more friendly return policy as well.

We'll keep an eye out.

Cheers!

Toshiba's First Blu-Ray Player Available In November

From Consumer Reports...

If you can't beat 'em, join them. That's finally Toshiba's message as the company readies to roll out its first Blu-ray player, the BDX2000, this fall. The player will arrive in November, at a price of $250.

The BDX200 is a BD-Live-ready player (you have to add 1GB of flash memory for the BD-Live Internet feature to work), and it includes an SD card slot for playing digital music, photos and video--including high-def AVCHD files—on your TV.

The player has a "smoked mirrored" front panel, with a drop-down door that conceals the primary controls. When used with a Toshiba Regza TV, the player and TV can both be controlled from a single remote. From the announcement, it's unclear whether the layer internally decodes the high-resolution lossless audio formats—Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD-Master Audio—internally, or sends it out via bitstream for decoding in a receiver. [Note: We just learned the player decodes these formats internally.] —James K. Willcox, Consumer Reports.

Black Wii Remotes & Nunchucks For The Holidays

Gotta say, at first look, I really like the look of the Black Nintendo Wii remotes and nunchucks. Not sure if I'll swap my existing remotes out for them, but if I end up having to replace any or buy new ones for any other reason I might just go with the black ones.

TomTom Car Kit For iPhone Inches Closer To Reality

So the TomTom iPhone app has got your attention, huh? It should at least have that, and now TomTom's car kit is inching closer to the finish line as well - enabling you to mount, charge and use it handsfree.

If you'd like some more photos, check out this PDF from the FCC straight from the TomTom FCC Exhbits List. Pretty cool, huh?

Canon 7D Coming Soon? And, If So, How Soon?

Saw this on Canonrumors.com ...

http://www.canonrumors.com/2009/08/7d-lens-pictures/

For some, the arrival of the 7D will be the culmination of months of searching around every website and forum post they could find referencing the new model. For others, the arrival of the 7D will be far less important than the launch of the newest EF-S lenses into Canon's lineup. Consider me on the fence if those are my only choices, but leaning towards being in the latter group, as I'm more interested in upgrading my lens lineup than I am my camera(s), especially my image stabilized lenses.

Anyway... this is just another little nugget for those avid 7D hunters to chew on.

Canon Announces Six New PowerShot Digital Cameras

Hey everyone, if you're in the mood to check out the latest and greatest in the world of digital cameras, I invite you to check out the newly announced models from Canon. Six new models will be mixed into their lineup, with most of them replacing existing models.

I'll be breaking each model down on first impression shortly, but you can Ccheck 'em out, at Canon's PowerShot Website right now.

Logitech Makes Mice That Works On Glass

Still using a mouse pad? Aren't you tired of it yet? I'd have to believe you are even if you have defended your use of the accessory since the first day you saw someone successfully working a mouse without one. Well, perhaps your wait is over.

Logitech will sell mice that use a different kind of laser technology that will allow you to use the mouse and just about any kind of surface - even that crazy contemporary glass desk you've been eyeballing at OfficeMax. It's called Logitech Darkfield Laser Tracking and I invite you to read more about Darkfield Laser Tracking Technology and check out the two new Logitech mice that will boast this new feature.

I think this is pretty cool and will be looking to get my hands on the Performance Mouse MX sometime soon.

TomTom Nav For iPhone Arrives!

Via Engadget:



True, it's not the first app offering turn-by-turn driving instructions for the iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS -- but it is from TomTom, an industry heavy-weight that is finally delivering on years of rumor and speculation. After starting with New Zealand a few hours ago, the iTunes App Store is now populated with region specific TomTom apps for NZ ($95), Australia ($80), US and Canada ($100), and Western Europe ($140). If that sounds expensive... it is; dedicated TomTom navigators start at $120. In other words, this isn't one of those knee-jerk 99 cent App Store purchases. Naturally, that price does not include the announced TomTom iPhone car kit (rumored to cost £113.85 (about $194) with bundled mapping software) that mounts and charges your iPhone 3G or 3GS while enhancing its GPS performance, speaker, and microphone.

__________________________________________________________________

My take; this is going to impact retail sales of GPS devices... and probably significantly. I think this will finally teach guys like Garmin a lesson in "less is more", as they continue to roll out product lines featuring far too many models with very little differentiation between the available SKUs. If you've noticed, Garmin and Humminbird are the only two manufacturers still pumping out seemingly hundreds of SKUs to serve the market, where their competition is much more streamlined in their offerings. I just don't understand a company, who's product is SOFTWARE ... making hundreds of hardware devices to run it. The obvious example is, where are "Windows branded PCs?" One could argue that Xbox is one, but that's a different topic for another blog. Hopefully, Garmin and Mio and Magellan will all see this, and either make their move or finish up their own iPhone apps in the near future.

Take care guys and gals...

Burn Hazard Leads To Wii Charge Station Recall

More trouble for Wii aftermarket chargers... via Consumer Reports:

If you own a Wii™ 4-Dock Battery Recharge Station with the brand name Psyclone Essentials or React, stop using it immediately. The battery pack can overheat, posing a burn or fire hazard.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a voluntary recall of the product today, in cooperation with Griffin International, which makes the charger and other third-party video game console accessories.

There have been six reported incidents, with two reports of minor injuries involving burns to the hand.

Some 220,000 products subject to the recall were sold between January 2008 and July 2009: the Psyclone (PSE6501) Recharge Stations were sold at Target, Toys R Us, and Amazon.com, and the React model (RT530) was sold at Best Buy. The brand name and model numbers are located on the bottom of the product and/or on the packaging.

If you own one of these chargers, contact Griffin International toll free at 888-344-4702, or at productsaftey@psyclonggamer.com/Wii4Dock to acquire a redesigned replacement.

Screen shots of Google's Chrome OS leaked?

Bouncing around on the web earlier today, I came across this: http://gizmodo.com/5339157/is-this-the-first-real-screenshot-of-chrome-os ...

Now, let me be the first to say that I love competition and I feel that's the only way this country's (and the world's) economy stays strong - so a serious competitor to Windows must be present by that logic and Apple simply doesn't get enough units into consumers' or businesses' hands. So, on that note, I am excited that another OS with some solid PR and momentum behind it is on the horizon. On the other hand, I really dislike the Chrome browser that Google released a number of moons ago and so I hesitate to get behind Google's new OS full bore.

And with all that - who even knows if these peeks are real? It's entirely possible they are not. Still, something to stew about.

Hey! Double Check That Hotel Room For Chargers!

Hi everyone,

I don't know if it's because of the recent meteor shower, full moon, or something in the water, but several people in my friends and family have recently left digital camera or camcorder battery chargers behind when departing their hotel rooms on their latest trips. These little buggers are being made so compactly these days that they can hug the wall or power sockets pretty well and be hidden by furniture, bags, or simply piles of materials and itineraries on desks. Take an extra sweep through your room to prevent yourself from having to burn through $50 - $60 when having to replace your charger.

If you're one of those who have mistakenly left a charger behind and need to replace it, check out my friends at Best Price Audio Video who either have, or can get, just about any replacement camera or camcorder battery charger for your Canon, Nikon, Casio, Kodak... or really any digital camera or camcorder you own.

Just thought I'd try to help by passing that public service message along.

Cheers!

New Garmin Nuvi Portables Hit Shelves!

Good Day Everyone,

Just wanted to point out that the new Garmin Nuvi GPS devices are hitting store shelves and look great and are priced pretty well this model year! Last year I thought almost every model started about $50 too high and didn't drop in price fast enough, leading many to find good value with TomTom and other options. This year, it looks like Garmin is to be more aggressive on price from the get go. Check out the Newest Garmin GPS at my favorite source for their gear, BPAV.com

Or go to Garmin.com, and make sure to refine your search by selecting "new".

New Logitech Harmony Remote Announced!

Fremont, Calif. - Logitech's latest universal remote control debuted today, featuring a color touchscreen.

The Harmony 900

The rechargeable Harmony 900 remote has redesigned RF technology, Logitech said, that allows it to operate devices up to 100 feet away without having to tape RF emitters on each device. To operate, users place the included IR blaster and one or two of the mini blasters on the cabinet shelves near the devices they want to control, and then use the remote touchscreen to select the devices.

The Harmony 900 also features an intuitive button layout with four "zones" - numbers, traditional DVD controls, D-pad with volume and channel up/down, and onscreen menu buttons. What Logitech calls the "44 most-essential buttons" appear on the remote. When users select an onscreen item such as "Watch TV," the remote will turn on the TV, the cable box, the A/V receiver and any other necessary devices, said the company.

Scheduled to be available in September, the remote will retail for a suggested $399.

Toshiba Succumbs To Blu-Ray, To Offer Their Own BR Player

Irvine, Calif. - Toshiba America confirmed today it will enter the Blu-ray Disc market later this year with a home player.

The company confirmed its plans in a one-sentence press release:
"To meet the increasing consumer demand for high-definition content, Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. will be entering the Blu-ray market. We will share additional product information and details later this year."

Toshiba has not decided whether the player will be shown at next month's CEDIA show.

Toshiba did introduce its HD-DVD drive in its high-end Qosmio laptop line, but a call to the company's computer division has not yet been returned.

Audio-Technica Announces 11 New Microphones

Stow, Ohio - Audio-Technica announced the availability of 11 new microphones on Wednesday, part of the company's ATR series.

Audio-Technica

The ATR1500

The microphones are designed for home recording, live performance, computer and camcorder use, and other non-professional applications, Audio-Technica said.

Crystal Griffith, Audio-Technica consumer marketing manager, said about the new products: "With the increasing popularity of home and project studio recording, podcasting, and participation in YouTube and other video sites, Audio-Technica recognized the need for a line of affordable, high-quality microphones for consumers who may not be audio professionals, but who still want great sound. Our new ATR-series microphones were created to accommodate a wide variety of consumer applications, at price points that offer exceptional value."

The new models are as follows:

· The ATR1500 dynamic vocal/instrument microphone ($49.95 suggested retail) is engineered for clear, detailed vocal and instrument reproduction, said the company. Its cardioid response pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, for improved isolation of the vocalist or instrument being miked, and resistance to feedback.

· The ATR1300 ($29.95) dynamic microphone has a unidirectional pickup pattern, said to produce smooth, focused response without feedback. It features an all-metal construction and high-quality element.

· The ATR1200 cardioid ($19.95) and ATR1100 ($9.95) unidirectional dynamic microphones are said to feature a precision element for clear and natural audio reproduction, and a convenient on-off switch. They come with a cable with 3.5mm mini-plug and 1/4-inch plug adapter.

· The ATR6550 condenser shotgun microphone ($99.95) and ATR6250 stereo condenser video/recording microphone ($69.96) are designed for video enthusiasts. The ATR6550 features a highly directional "Tele" range setting that is engineered to pick up sound from a distance while rejecting ambient noise, and the ATR6250 provides stereo audio pickup from a convenient single-unit design, according to the company. Both feature high-performance condenser elements for smooth, detailed audio quality and come with a camera mount, stand clamp, cables and plug adapters.

· The ATR4697 condenser boundary microphone ($39.95) is designed for placement on a table or desktop, and has an omnidirectional pickup pattern for meetings, teleconferencing and desktop computer use. The ATR4700 ($12.95) and ATR4600 ($7.95) ultra-compact models plug into a computer's microphone input, and feature flexible goosenecks.

· The last two models include the ATR5200 head-worn microphone ($49.95), engineered for hands-free gaming, computer and other recording applications, and the ATR3350 miniature lavalier microphone ($39.95), which clips onto clothing.

Speck Updates SeeThru Series Cases To Accomodate Most Recent MacBooks

Palo Alto, Calif. - Speck said today it has updated its SeeThru hard-shell cases to adjust for design changes in the most recent MacBooks.

SeeThru Satin

The 13-inch SeeThru and SeeThru Satin cases are engineered for use with both the previous aluminum unibody MacBook and the newly introduced aluminum unibody MacBook Pro. The 15-inch cases are designed for use with all unibody MacBook Pro aluminum unibody notebooks introduced since October 2008, including the most recent MacBook Pro models.

Irene Baran, Speck CEO, said the updated cases adjusted to the port-location changes on each side of the most r

ecent aluminum unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro.

Each case is a two-piece, form-fitting hard shell; the SeeThru Satin adds a soft-touch outer finish. They are currently available for a $49.95 suggested retail.

Cnet Reviews The Palm Pre

The good: The Palm Pre's multitasking capabilities and notifications system are unparalleled. The smartphone features a vibrant display with multitouch functionality as well as a solid Web browser and good multimedia integration. The Pre offered good call quality and wireless options include 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

The bad: The Pre's keyboard is cramped. Battery life drains quickly and the smartphone can be sluggish at times. Lacks expansion slot, video-recording capabilities, onscreen keyboard, and Flash support. The Pre App Catalog is still in beta with a limited number of titles.

The bottom line: Despite some missing features and performance issues that make it less than ideal for on-the-go professionals, the Palm Pre offers gadget lovers and consumers well-integrated features and unparalleled multitasking capabilities. The hardware could be better, but more importantly, Palm has developed a solid OS that not only rivals the competition but also sets a new standard in the way smartphones handle tasks and manage information.

Click here to read the full Cnet review of the Palm Pre.

CNet on the TomTom GO 740 Live

Cnet editor's choice. She's an expensive model, but she sure is pretty.

Zune HD caught on video

What's this? An OLED touch screen? Could it be that Microsoft has finally figured out how to build decent hardware? Still to be figured out: have they figured out how to market the zune so that it is not completely dominated by most other portable media players?

Cnet says: Escape the grill with a remote thermometer

The Outset Digital Remote Meat Thermometer with Receiver allows you to appreciate the thrill of owning the grill while simultaneously enjoying your own party. Featuring two probes that allow for two separate temperature readouts, the thermometer relays the information back to a remote sensor. With 10 meat settings and 4 "doneness" levels, specific preferences are just a signal alert away (assuming, of course, that you are within the 120-foot range of the unit).

The large digital backlit LCD display is easy to read and simple to use. Perhaps best of all, when you are not using the unit to guard the grill, the thermometer can be conveniently used indoors. Although guests are less likely to BYOBBQ for an indoor party and jockey over the oven, you just never know. Break free and enjoy the company.

Click here to read the full Cnet Blog Post.

Canon To Offer New Workshops For New And Prospective EOS Users

Canon, who always puts on great workshops and training sessions, has launched a new educational program offering workshops and classes for current and prospective EOS users and shoppers. The program, called "Canon Live Learning", is intended to add value to the experience of owning Canon EOS products and enhancing experience and passion for digital imaging.

Read more, including dates and locations for Canon Live Learning, here.

My take: Canon wants to sell more Canon EOS SLR equipment but might be reaching the bottom of the barrel when it comes to identifying somewhat experienced camera users who would be the most likely to take the jump into the digital SLR arena. Canon has always been committed to training efforts and both standard and online only workshops have been available for some time. But the timing of this seems a little obvious to me. Hey, it's difficult to make any money on customers who are purchasing $129.00 worth of camera gear (digital point and shoot product is reaching all new lows for price points) and much easier to do so when a customer is looking at buying a camera that sells for $599.00 or more; I understand. Plus, with all of the lenses and accessories available for EOS system cameras...

I bet the training is decent, though. Rarely does Canon hesitate to include tips and talk from industry professionals who are loaded with information. And since the workshops are limited to just 16 people, you know it will be highly interactive.

Pick up a digital SLR camera from my friends at BPAV before you go. They're offering a nice free accessory kit on the Digital Rebel XS and XSi kits right now. Or maybe you're looking for something more on the semi-pro digital SLR end... either way, they'll take great care of you.

HD Radios To Get "Sporty"

Twice.com reports on this growing trend...
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6657890.html

I think this is a great development. I would love to be able to catch 24/7 action or updates on my favorite teams regardless of where I or my HD radio was at the time. This is a direct shot at Sirius XM and I like it a lot.

Garmin to Again Delay Launch of Nuvifone

Garmin will again delay the launch of its nuvifone GPS/smartphones to the second half of the year, it said during a conference call with analysts May 6.

Garmin originally planned to launch a nuvifone in the third quarter 2008 and then more recently slated shipment of a consumer aimed Linux-based G60 nuvifone in the first half under a partnership with Asus, followed in the second half by an M20 device aimed at mobile professionals running Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, also under the Garmin-Asus partnership

Read the rest here.

I just wonder if they wouldn't be better off making an app for an existing phone, rather than making their own device. I guess that's why they get paid to spend the big bucks and I don't.

Toshiba To Help Plant 80,000 Trees

Toshiba America Inc., along with volunteers from four Toshiba Southern California operating companies (TABS, TAEC, TAIS and TAMS), will help plant 80,000 trees in the San Bernardino National Forest this Saturday, May 9 in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation to help replace trees lost to the wildfires in the fall of 2007.

The tree-planting event will take place at the YMCA Camp Whittle located at 31701 Rim of the World Drive in Fawnskin, Calif.

Read more here: http://medical.toshiba.com/News/Press_Releases/20090504-01.aspx

I'm not much for green marketing, but I like events that cross over that threshold and go onto bigger and better things. The devastating fires that have ravaged areas such as that of San Bernadino took a huge toal and a company like Toshiba making a commitment to stand up and help try to repair at least some of the obvious damage is noteworthy and something to be celebrated - even if it does boil down to some marketing value for Toshiba after everything is said and done. I wish more companies would find ways to do things like this, even if only on a very small or isolated community basis, and I think that might be the one angle out of green marketing that I actually like.

Will We See The Day When All Cell Phones Take The Same Charger?

I hate having to change my cell phone charger every time I get a new cell phone, and I don't think I'm the only one. I've long heard rumors that there was going to be an effort made to create a single standard for cell phone chargers in the future and maybe we're nearing that day a little sooner than I had given the effort credit for.

According to Joseph Palenchar in TWICE (This Week In Consumer Electronics), "CTIA-The Wireless Association announced its support for a universal cellphone-charger standard that would enable consumers to use the same charger for any future handset that they buy.

The standard, called the Universal Charging Solution (UCS), uses the micro-USB-connector standard as its common charging interface and is expected to be available on new cellphones in January 2012, CTIA said." (Read more here)

Personally, I still see this as (a) a long shot to actually happen and (b) one of the most insignificant things being worked on at this time. However, if indeed micro USB is to be the form factor chosen to charge all models of all cell phones at least one thing we could cross off the list is the worry that the form factor wouldn't be conducive to producing the most flexible or compact devices the world has ever seen.

Micro USB is very small (See image where Mini USB, found on many cell phones and digital cameras now, is on the left next to the Micro USB adapter on the right) and it seems difficult to envision a manufacturer having a difficult time coming up with devices that would be as compact as possible (what the consumer wants) and yet still able to use a standardized device. However, I find it funny that someone is pushing for a standardized form factor on a cable's connection when there is already attempts out there for WIRELESS charging of electronic devices that would seemingly need no such connectivity.

I'm curious: what would a company like Apple do with their iPhones that use their own standardized connector shared throughout their iPod lineup?

I'm also curious if, by January 2012, will we even care about something like this? Might we finally arrive at a day when cell phones aren't just consumables that you donate or recycle? And, if we do arrive at that point, won't that mean you could just keep using your charger you already own?

I guess we'll all find out together.

Cheers!

Trade HD DVDs for Blu-rays with Warner's Red2Blu Program!

So you went with HD-DVD and, this time, Sony won and shoved Blu-ray down your throat. You're looking at what you've invested and you think to yourself, "Man, had I known...". Well, buck up cheerio!

If you aligned yourself with the red team during the HD DVD vs. Blu-ray format war, we wouldn't blame you if you felt a little turned off to the whole idea of high-def discs. Warner's new Red2Blu program is trying to relieve some of the sting for the losers of the format war, giving owners of Warner HD DVD movies the option to trade in their movies for Blu-ray versions of the same movie. The program isn't free--you send in the cover art from your HD DVDs along with $4.95 per movie, plus a $6.95 shipping and handling fee for your entire order--but it's definitely better than having to shell out another $30 bucks for a new Blu-ray. There are some minor restrictions, such as you can only trade in 25 movies per household and only one copy of an individual title, but the biggest restriction is that the offer is only good for Warner titles.

Tiger Direct To Buy Circuit City's Brand Name?

Credits:
Steve Smith
Twice.com

Systemax, the company that operates Tiger Direct’s online and brick-and-mortar stores — which last year cut a deal last year to acquire the brand, trademarks and e-commerce business of CompUSA, as well as 16 former CompUSA storefronts — is on the prowl again.

When Circuit City announced the intention to auction off its brand, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who said, "Why?"

Maybe people in the industry are too close to the situation, but many have to think that the Circuit City name would be far too damaged to make it a worthwhile investment for anyone. But Circuit’s going out of business sale was, by all accounts, successful, so who knows?

... read more...

For what it's worth, it appears that Tiger Direct's intention is aimed squarely at the most successful part of Circuit's bankrupt brand, the E-Commerce business. The obvious question that needs to be asked, though, is how much of the E-Commerce business's success was based on the connection to the brick and mortar stores themselves (either through the existing company branding or the in-store pickup leverage used by the website). Still, 6.5Million plus a share of the future business that transacts for the first 30 months of the deal is a pretty heft price to pay for any brand linked to such a stigma of failure.

Panasonic Goes DECT 6.0 On All Cordless Phones

Panasonic seems to have made a complete switch over to DECT 6.0 on its cordless phone offerings, no longer offering any 2.4 or 5.8GHz models within its lineup. Thank god... that's all I can say.

Read Panasonic's press release here.

If you're using a land line and possibly still using a 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz phone check out Panasonic's full DECT 6.0 category.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Proving Hard To Find

Hi Everyone:

The new Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera body looks great, but only if you're lucky enough to find it and see it at a store in the first place. My friends at bestpriceaudiovideo.com have informed me that they are only able to get a few in at a time and they generally all ship or are picked up on the same day as they arrive.

Canon wouldn't comment to me about product availability, either. But word on the street is that these will be tight for a while.

You may be able to locate and purchase the 5D Mark II with 24-105mm lens kits, though. Demand for the combo doesn't seem to be as high. If you're trying to save a bit, or already have the lenses you need and so want to get the body by itself, you'll want to have all the feelers out there you can.

Happy Hunting.

Cheers!

Like Subwoofers? Hate Cables? JBL Has What You've Been Looking For!

Hi All,

Every year new audio products are announced and every year you can immediately ignore a lot of what comes out. Unless an audio product offers a benefit more than just great sounding output, it simply goes on the shelf as "just another audio product" for sale. Well, I'm always looking for newer products and, specifically, newer products from brands I trust that are delivering more than just sound out of a box.

All hail the arrival of the JBL wireless subwoofers! Two models, a 300-Watt (RMS) 10-inch and a 400-Watt 12-inch, provide you with great sounding products you can use in your home conveniently. No more running a subwoofer cable around and behind furniture and no more cutting carpet and running cable under there either. Now you can just connect a short cable to the transmitter, hide that puppy (keeping a line of sight available is recommended here) and set the subwoofer anywhere you can reach the power cord to.

JBL's not the first to have this technology out there, but they are one of the bigger names to push forward on this front and I applaud them for doing so. Home audio equipment is a highly personal purchase and one that supports a complex niche drivin market of both small and large brands offering everything from ultra-tiny and underpowered speakers to the biggest speakers you can dream up that will drive anyone out of the imediate vacinity. And it's here where I believe these speakers can be successful - a family home that has no ability to create a dedicated home theater space and needs to be able to combine technology and life in the same quarters.

And let me tell you these things sound great. JBL subwoofers have always offered a lot of bang for the buck, but in reality they have also always been some of the best product on the market. These new wireless subwoofers follow right along this strong heritage. Adjustable crossovers allow you to alter the subwoofer to your liking and, if your're considering an upgrade or a new home theater, these really compliment the rest of the JBL ES series speakers very well.

The wireless feature has pretty decent range and flexibility to it, allowing users to place the subwoofer in just about any typical home theater position. That said, it is a 2.4 GHz transmission so, even though I have not heard interference when using these, I would imagine that if you have a lot of 2.4 GHz signal in your home from phones or other electrical equipment you could run into some signal interference and need to adjust the system's location or the location of the interfering device(s). Also, depending on the construction of the home, the 2.4 GHz clarity and range could suffer given the right conditions. But I would imagine that 85% - 90% of the customers who purchase one of these units are not going to even have to think about signal interferance.

An easy plug and play setup leads to a lot of listening enjoyment. If you don't already have a subwoofer or if you are using a small passive subwoofer because you had no place to put one or didn't want to run cabling around your living space, I would strongly recommend considering this as the solution.

Check it out at JBL's website. My friends at Best Price Audio Video have these at a great price right now, too.

Cheers!

First Look: Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 Digital Camera

Hi Everyone,

Got a glimpse of some of the new Olympus digital cameras and I must say that it finally looks like Olympus has decided to step up to the plate with their lineup. For years, Olympus has had lots of models that they suggested were "unique" and so not like everything that their competition was offering in the market. Well, one man's 'unique' is another man's 'strange', and it is this reviewer's opinion that Olympus was simply off the mark with many of their previous cameras.

Olympus' new lineup, however, looks quite strong and offers a nice mix of cameras that can go toe to toe with their competition and those that boast a very clever set of features that should allow Olympus to appear separate from the rest of the crowd. My early favorite is the Olympus Stylus Tough-8000.


The Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 - excluding its somewhat awkward model number ("...yes I'd like to take a look at that tough 8000 please." ... ?) - looks like a winner to me. It boasts a 12MP maximum resolution, a 3.6x optical wide zoom lens and a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD screen on back. However, those aren't the features that give it the 'wow' factor; those are just the features that cover the basics that most digital cameras know to ask for.

What separates the Olympus Tough-8000 from even it's little brother (The Olympus Stylus Tough-6000) are things like being shockproof from up to a 6.6-foot drop, waterproof up to 33 feet and crushproof up to 220 pounds of force. This is a camera that you can take great pictures with AND not fear what might happen to those pictures before you get back home.

Another nice feature that shows Olympus has learned as they've gone further with consumer digital cameras; finally sneaking Secure Digital memory (MicroSD to be specific) product into the mix. For as long as Olympus has been making cameras it has seemed they have been on the wrong side of the wall when it came to the memory that their products used to store photos on. Before it was SmartMedia - which was mainstream but just not durable or able to be produced in higher capacities. Then, Olympus and Fuji teamed up with Toshiba to create XD picture cards... oy. They're still marketing and using XD picture cards, but the Olympus Tough-8000 now comes packaged with a MicroSD-to-XD card adapter, which will allow a consumer to purchase a much less expensive memory card and use it with this and likely other Olympus cameras. MicroSD cards can also be manufactured in higher capacities than XD cards can, so you'll be able to store more photos and transfer more conveniently.

The camera body looks great. I'm not a fan of colors when it comes to digital camera bodies and the Olympus Tough-8000 looks good while sparing us all the pinks, purples, greens and browns of the world. It's available in 3 colors: silver, black and an almost navy blue. It might not be the sleekest, fits in your teeny tiny purse, piano-gloss finish looking camera, but it is still attractive and does a good job blending the look of STRONG with the look of sophisticated.

They're showing a $399.99 retail price on the camera right now and Olympus likes to try to keep those prices consistent for a little while in the market. So expect to that or just slightly under that for several months.

Overall, I'm excited to see how this does in a trying time for retailers and digital cameras in general. I think they may have finally figured out how to be on the right side of "unique" and have a player here.

Cheers!

That's All Folks! Circuit City Locks All Store's Doors Sunday.

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 3/5/2009 12:30:00 PM

Richmond, Va. — Circuit City’s liquidators will close all of the chain’s remaining stores this Sunday.

The shutdowns come about a week ahead of schedule and two week earlier than originally planned, as the stores are “basically running out of inventory,” Scott Carpenter, VP of liquidator Great American Group, told The Associated Press.

TWICE confirmed the report with Tiger Capital Group, another of Circuit City’s four liquidators that together sold off some $1.7 billion of inventory in seven weeks.

“Consumers reacted to the top-quality product that they had and the prices we were able to sell it at,” Carpenter said.

Although the last of Circuit City’s stores will close on Sunday, the company’s wind-down process is expected to last two years as a skeleton crew liquidates remaining assets, shuts down remaining businesses and reconciles claims against the corporation.

Top 10 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying A Digital Camera

Hi Everyone,

So, you may know... Millions of digital cameras have been purchased over the years ranging from $30 to well over $10,000. Most people only suggest that some of these purchases led to satisfied consumers while others led to frustrated users. How can you be sure to be a satisfied digital camera consumer and avoid the frustrations felt by many?

Start by asking yourself these important questions before you go into a store or start shopping at your favorite website. Doing so will provide you with a confident starting point and help you to more quickly identify products that best suit your needs or desires.


1. Who is going to use this camera?

2. What kind(s) of photographs are going to be taken?

3. Where will the photographs be taken?

4. Where will the user be in relation to the subject of the photograph?

5. Is the size of the camera important to the user and, if it is, HOW important is it?

6. What is your maximum budget and target budget for this purchase?

7. What will the pictures be used for after they are taken?

8. What is the user's current level of photography experience?

9. Does the user want to increase their photography knowledge and be able to do more with cameras in the future?

10. What technology does the intended user of the camera already own?



1. Who is going to use this camera?

It's a straight forward question, but important to answer as a starting point. Is this camera going to be given to a child as a gift? Is this a camera for a grandfather who is still catching onto the concept of email? Is this a camera that will be used by a student in college who is taking classes in photography or photojournalism? Is this going to be used by ... YOU? Answering this simple question is a surprisingly easy way to get you started on the right path.


2. What kind(s) of photographs are going to be taken?

A critical question to answer that will likely determine a significant portion of the outcome of your buying decision - what kinds of pictures are going to be taken most often with the camera? Will you be taking a lot of action shots of kids participating in school sports or that new pet you've adopted? Will you be taking shots of scenic vacation vistas? What about low-light shots or night shots? Portraits? Close-up photography for appraisals of collectibles? It’s important to identify this because no all cameras, even when advertising similar sounding features, perform at the same level. Some cameras have a very fast shutter and are great for action shots, while others do not have a great shutter speed and try to mask it by offering a similar sounding 'action' or 'sports' mode that artificially enhances the cameras performance while you are shooting. That difference can be quite obvious when you are looking at the pictures you've taken. Further, while most cameras offer a 'macro' mode or a 'close-up' mode, few cameras truly deliver here. So this question and answer is critical to pointing you to the right options.


3. Where will the photographs be taken?

Here's a question that most people think about at least at some level - where will I be using this camera when I am taking my pictures? If you have a pool outside your house and find that the pool is where you end up taking the majority of your pictures, you are going to want to make sure your camera is at least water resistant (if not water-proof) and/or shock resistant - trust me. If you never take your camera outside, you can probably buy anything you want without much fear of it finding moisture, sand or concrete - three of the most deadly substances known to digital camera bodies. With everything available, from completely waterproof cameras that you can go diving with in the Caribbean to very sensitive equipment you would never want to allow a rain drop to find, this is just another question that helps you refine down your options.


4. Where will the user be in relation to the subject of the photograph?

We're talking zoom and image stabilization, here. How much zoom a user needs in a camera is extremely important. And, to be clear here, we're talking optical zoom only. Do not take any value in "digital zoom" - digital zoom is simply a software enabled enhancement where pixels are enlarged to make it appear that you are closer to the subject than you really are. You lose resolution and clarity when you use digital zoom, so don't even think about it.

If the user is going to be shooting sports scenes of their kids playing school sports, you must remember that you will consistently be a fair distance away from the action and so the need for zoom is high. If the user will be taking mostly macro photography of collectibles for appraisal, you can safely assume that the macro feature is the most important and so getting a bigger optical zoom doesn't have much importance. Generally speaking, everyone could use all the optical zoom they can find, but some need it even more so than others.

Secondly, is the subject being photographed moving? Or is the user taking the picture moving while shooting? If the answer to either of those questions is 'yes' you should consider the value in a camera having image stabilization and if you answer the question in a manner such as "always", you should consider it nearly mandatory. Also, on another level, if the user of this camera has unsteady hands you should definitely consider this feature. It will greatly enhance the number of clear shots taken.


5. Is the size of the camera important and, if it is, HOW important is it?

For some people, a digital camera must be able to fit in a purse or a pocket. Some people even have a specific pocket that they want their camera to be able to fit into. For others, the size of the camera does not matter at all; they simply want the Digital SLR because it allows them to use a specific lens that they own which gets them zoomed into the action. Nobody can tell you or recommend to you a camera that suits this need best - only the user can define this. From experience, I can tell you that for years people wanted the smaller camera. Small cameras sold like hotcakes and people looked down upon cameras in the showcase that looked bulky compared to the small, slim, sleek model. In the last year or so, I've noticed more people looking for a camera that they have an easier time holding onto, while still respectably small and modern looking. You'll find that if it is very important for the user to have a small camera, this feature will tend to override most other features available. Simply put, if a user wants a smaller camera they will focus on the size aspect at the obvious expense of both features and price.


6. What is your maximum budget and target budget for this purchase?

I always suggest people make two budgets for this type of purchase. Come up with your maximum budget for the camera purchase and stick to it. If you don't want to spend over $300, fine. If you aren't sure, but know you definitely don't want to spend over $1,000, okay. Identify this, and I encourage you to stick with it. Find a target budget, too. Identify that level where you really want to be in. Maybe you want to be in the $400 range but you are willing to go up to $550 as your max. That's good as it will give you a little flexibility and probably prevent you from getting stuck on just one or two models. If you can get yourself to be able to identify 3 or 4 cameras in two typical "retail" sounding price brackets (e.g. the $399.99 and $499.99 levels) you will find you have good options to choose from.

Last piece on budget: I recommend that your budget include roughly 15% - 25% worth of extras - it's these extras that enable you to use the camera either properly or to it's fullest. These extras will include memory cards, cases, tripods, batteries... or maybe portable external storage for those of you taking a high volume of pictures. So if your max budget is $500 keep in mind that really means you're looking at a $400 - $450 camera and $50 - $100 worth of accessories. Going without these accessories is not like going without window dressings or the perfect tool to add to your toolbox - these are accessories you will use and will enable to you be satisfied with your purchase. In some cases, accessories like a tripod or a big enough memory card could make the difference in being able to take the picture you want to take or not being able to do so.


7. What will happen to the pictures after they are taken?

This used to be a much more important question in the buying process and one that every salesperson should have asked their potential customer back when cameras were 1, 2, and 3 megapixels maximum. Now that almost every camera produced is capturing 5 megapixel shots and up, you can pretty much rest assured that anything you buy now will be capable of taking photographs that you can print with solid results. Still, if you intend to print a lot, or especially if you intend to print larger sized prints or something for a more special occasion or purpose – something suitable for framing perhaps – you should invest in a camera that gets you the as much detail as possible. There is a fairly significant difference in the details of pictures printed that were taken on a 5MP camera vs. those taken on a 9 MP camera. Conversely, if all you are going to do is store these photos or e-mail them to friends and family who are also unlikely to print them, you could find that the ultra-large size photos taken by a 9MP camera may appear as an inconvenience because of how much space they take up on memory cards, hard drives or e-mail attachments – not to mention that higher resolution cameras are more expensive, and why pay extra for something you’re not going to get any value from.


8. What is the user's current level of photography experience?

If the person using the camera is a barely-into-technology beginner, it is not wise to get them a digital SLR or other digital camera that has lots of manual creative control capability. For starters that will drive the price up and you will be paying for features that the user may never understand, let alone use. Further, the camera will tend to be bigger and more bulky, the user manual more difficult to get through. Some of these advanced cameras will also contain features that appear during even the most basic of tasks and that can frustrate a novice user. Conversely, it does little good to purchase an inexpensive, entry-level camera for someone who wants to do a lot more than leave the thing in automatic mode and shoot.


9. Does the user want to increase their photography knowledge and be able to do more with cameras in the future?

This question may get an answer that trumps that of the previous question. If the user of this camera is looking to grow with the camera, maybe it makes sense to spend a little extra to get some creative control so that the user is then ready for a bigger step at a later time. Or, maybe the user won't want to get into another camera for a while and so needs this one to give them a lot of room to grow. It's a fact that most users power on their cameras out of the box to use them and never take them off of the automatic mode in subsequent events. Some users go a step further, using the pre-programmed shooting modes the cameras come with (night shot, sports, scenery, etc) or learn how to turn the flash off and on and then stop there. But if the user of the camera wants to learn how to change the exposure settings, shoot in RAW or TIFF format, or just otherwise shoot more advanced photography, it might be best to get that user a camera that gets them started well and gives them room to grow.


10. What technology does the intended user of the camera already own?

The last important thing to consider is if the user of the camera already owns technology that they want to use with the camera, or that would help save some money during the purchase. On a simple level, if someone already owns a digital camera that uses Secure Digital memory cards, you should think twice before purchasing a camera that takes xD memory cards. Why purchase new memory cards unless you have to? But on a more complex level, if a user wants to connect the camera to a device or wants to transfer the photos in a certain manner the camera must be able to provide for this. You can also save yourself some money if you have the connectivity figured out as well.

Examples of this: Say the user of a digital camera just wants to take the memory card out of the digital camera and use a reader that is built into their laptop to transfer the pictures they've taken. This is a pretty easy concept and something all cameras can do. At the same time, it would not make much sense to purchase a camera that has Wi-Fi capability if a user wishes to only transfer photos in this manner. Of course, if a user wants to use a Wi-Fi network to transfer photos to their PC or laptop, you better make sure that the camera purchased can handle the task.

Also, find out what printer(s) will be used. Some printers have convenient dock-type connectors built into them that allow users of cameras made by the same company to do some common tasks a bit more intuitively (such as Kodak's offerings). If a printer like this is already owned it would make a lot of sense to consider working within that same brand. If the printer doesn't have an interface like that, then this considerations doesn't apply - A person does not get a lot of extra value when using a Canon camera with a Canon printer, for example.




So there you have it. A solid list of questions to ask that will allow you to identify some options that will help lead towards a more satisfying digital camera purchase. After going through these questions you should not have a difficult time drilling down from hundreds of camera options to 3-6 that really make a lot of sense for you or the person you are shopping for.

Check back later for more digital camera shopping tips to learn how to pick that perfect camera.

Cheers!

Garmin Introduces Its First Pedestrian Portable Navigation Devices

Garmin International announced its first portable GPS devices with navigation for use by both pedestrians and drivers.

The 1200 and 1300 series are lighter and thinner than current nuvi models so they are easily carried in a pocket.

They may also be used with optional CityXplorer maps that are available for tourist destinations in North America and Europe. These maps may be downloaded to a PC and then to the nuvi via USB cable at prices ranging from $10 to $15, depending on the city.

In addition, the devices allow not only pedestrian directions but they include bus, train, subway and other public transportation information.

“The personal navigation device (PND) is no longer just for the car,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin VP worldwide sales claiming that the devices may now be taken “wherever you go.”

Read the full article, here.

Transcend Reveals Eye-catching StoreJet 25M-R Shock-Resistant Portable Hard Drive

Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend®), an international leader in storage products, today announced a stylish new addition to its exciting line of StoreJet™ portable hard drives. The StoreJet 25M-R portable hard drive is an innovative combination of anti-shock construction with an attractive design that masks the drive’s true rugged nature in a tantalizing blend of crimson red and jet black.

Award-Winning Design

Winner of Japan’s coveted G-Mark design award, the StoreJet 25M-R features an attractive two-tone contrast color scheme that sets it apart from the crowd. The StoreJet 25M-R is a perfect example of Transcend’s commitment to creating high-tech products specifically tailored for consumers who not only value technological innovation, but also style and fashion. Gently rounded edges and a smooth exterior finish also provide a pleasant tactile feel that makes the drive comfortable as well as easy to grip.

Military-Grade Shock Protection

Hidden inside the StoreJet 25M-R’s alluring exterior is a sophisticated dual-stage shock protection system that incorporates a rugged hard casing and vibration-absorbing anti-slip silicone outer shell that evenly distributes the force of an impact, along with a complete array of internal hard drive suspension dampers as a last line of defense. This innovative combination not only offers excellent protection against both vibration and impact damage, but also helps prevent the drive from slipping or falling in the first place.

Read the full Transcend press release, here.

Sony Unveils New BDP-S560 Wi-Fi Blu-Ray Player

Standalone Blu-ray players have finally started catching up to the Sony PlayStation 3 for Blu-ray playback, but Sony's game console is still the only Blu-ray player with built-in Wi-Fi.

Luckily, that appears to be changing in 2009, with both Samsung and LG announcing wireless Blu-ray players at CES 2009. And Monday Sony announced its own wireless Blu-ray player, the BDP-S560. The BDP-S560 includes 802.11N Wi-Fi, which means you'll be able to access BD-Live features without dragging an Ethernet cord into your living room.

Read the full cnet article, here.

Canon Announces New PowerShot Digital Cameras

For my first news post I want to point out that Canon recently announced 10 new PowerShot digital cameras for 2009. These cameras include a wide price range, beginning with the A480 at $129.99 and going up through the $599.99 SX1 IS. Every spring, Canon rolls out a new camera lineup that contains several completely new models and some models that just offer a new twist on a platform that's already proven itself to be successful - and 2009 looks to be no different.

The sweet spot (based solely on the announcement) seems to be with the A1100 IS ($199.99), A2100 IS ($249.99) and the entry level of the Digital ELPH, the SD1200 IS ($229.99). My guess is that everyone will see a lot of advertising of those three models, especially around key gifting periods. Will they all be available for Mother's Day? Who knows, but they will likely start to hit retailers and warehouses in early-to-mid April.

Personally, as it is with every model changeover season for Canon, I can't wait to get my hands on them and see what they will be made of and offering the user.

Cheers!

Speck ToughSkin For iPhone 3G Obtained

I found and obtained the case that interested me the most for my iPhone, the Speck Products ToughSkin for the iPhone 3G. You see, I don't know about Carlton or any of you, but I definitely have a tough time preventing my phones from hitting the ground often during their use and I need to protect them as best I can. My Treo, which I owned prior to moving back to AT&T and getting the iPhone, hit the ground so often I can't believe it's still working normally. And some of those hits were so hard that I was amazed it was working after picking it up off the ground. A favorite spot for my Treo to travel down to was the concrete driveway at our house. Maybe its second favorite spot was the ground, under the stadium seats while I was at football games. So it should be obvious, now, that I was looking for a lot more than just a screen protector or a pretty color.

I purchased the Speck ToughSkin Case for the iPhone 3G from BPAV after identifying it as the option that would be able to give me the best protection from a case that was still pretty compact. I was perfectly willing to add a little bulk to the iPhone in exchange for the protection, but I didn't want to get into something that would prohibit me from keeping it in a pocket or anything like that. BPAV shipped it to me in just two days (nice job!) and I immediately opened it up and applied it to my new iPhone.

First impression was that this case was definitely going to do the trick. Yes, it does take the smooth, sleek look away from the iPhone but I feel that even many of the hard-shell cases accomplish that as well and don't offer enough rugged protection in return. The sides are nice and thick and the corners are formed of an ideal amount of contoured reinforcement, making me think my iPhone can now take any normal bump from the side and could probably take a fair tumble without too much shock getting to the iPhone shell or systems within. The back looks like a stretched mountain bike tire and the contours molded there allow for both reinforced protection and a solid degree of traction that prevents the iPhone from sliding, even on a pretty decent slope.

The bottom of the case is cutout to allow for the right amount of room needed to connect chargers, FM transmitters and the like, and folds back to allow for connecting to docks or other larger devices that utilize the dock connector without having to remove the case from the iPhone. The cut out is also wide enough to allow for clear and seemingly normal speaker and mic performance. The back has an eyelet designed for the camera lens and, even with this particular case's thickness in play, there is no vignetting or camera blockage at all. A reinforcing frame with wrap-anchors is included and definitely helps secure the case to the iPhone so that the case is not squirming around the iPhone while in use. Some other cases I looked at did not have this and clearly had a bit of play to them that I felt made those cases feel cheap and loose-fitting.

In talking with others there seems to be 3 common complaints or questions with iPhone cases: 1. Does it add bulk around the screen edges that interferes with typing on the iPhone? 2. Is the front button covered up and, if so, does that cover allow for responsive use of the button? 3. How does the look of the case hold up with use?

The speck ToughSkin case does add a little more bulk around the edges of the screen than some other cases do, but this is to prevent the screen from coming in direct contact with the surface if it is sitting face down. I was actually hoping for this, but I was not thinking about whether or not this feature would cause any difficulty with typing. After typing on the iPhone for two weeks, with this case on at all times, I will admit that it can be a tad obtrusive to the space bar and the return key when trying to type quickly. I'd go even further to say that I do not feel this is due to my getting used to the keyboard. How much of a problem is this? Not very much of one, would be my answer. Basically the issue is that your thumb tries to go over the case and, in an extreme example, you end up with something such as, 'Are younsurenyou want tobdo that?" where the 'n' or 'b' key is hit accidentally when trying to hit the space bar. It think I've run into this mostly when typing longer items on the iPhone, such as an e-mail or a post on facebook or twitter, and I really don't consider this to be something that would drive anyone to the point where they were not satisfied with the case.

The Speck ToughSkin case does cover the iPhone's home button on the front but the reinforcing frame and matching molding on the front are made very well so that the button is perfectly functional and still offers a decent tactile click response. So there's nothing to worry about with regards to the home button.

Lastly, though I have only used the case for less than two weeks, I can comment on one of the gripes that people have with skin-type cases: lint grabbing. This case seems to have a finish on it that prevents a great deal of the lint collection that can occur with cases like this. There is clearly a little of that happening, but I was expecting it to be much worse than it is and am quite pleased at that. Also, what little does collect is very easily wiped off and so I do not have to constantly be wiping and rolling lint off of the iPhone. (Hey, on a black case little gray bits of thread and dust are not cool!)

All in all this looks to be a great case and I am very pleased with it thus far. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to forget about being worried about bashing up an iPhone while on the go.

I'm not sure what case my wife will be going with (she doesn't let her phone hit the deck as much as I do) but I'll be sure to review that as well.

Later all.

iPhone Obtained!

Finally did it - we switched back to AT&T. I'm very excited to report that I can now make calls while at home without any fear of dropping calls repeatedly during a 15 minute conversation. I've already made several and love not having to ask "Hello?... can you hear me... how about now?" I believe I will be equally pleased to be able to make and receive calls with ease while at the office. Sure, with Verizon, I was able to as well - as long as I went outside or made sure to stand in front of the window that is right in our busiest foot traffic area. (I can't fully describe my frustration as it pertains to this topic for you - not in the amount of time I have today anyway.)

I also went ahead and got the 16GB iPhone and I love it - even though not being able to send picture messages or perform copy/paste tasks is frustrating. There's more than enough upside to the iPhone to hold out hope for additions of these features within future iPhone OS releases (supposedly one in March and one in June already in the works). My wife got an iPhone as well; the 8GB. Now we need to accessorize our iPhones and the first step there will be a nice heavy duty protective case for mine because my phones enjoy many travels down south to concrete land during their days.

So far, the iPhone has been fast, responsive and the phone call quality excellent. Typing on the iPhone - one of the hottest issues that seems to garner a great deal of complaints or hesitations before purchasing - is indeed interesting and every time I do something with the keyboard I see quite a bit of improvement in my adaptation to it. I'll be doing a complete review of the iPhone (of course) and also some ongoing reviews as apps get installed and experiences happen, but so far I am nothing but pleased with the decision to go for the iPhone.

And now... time to get all of the phones on our family share account up and running before the Super Bowl.

Hello everyone! First Blog!

Hello everyone,

I can't wait to get started on my first blog! I've worked in consumer electronics retail for a long time, now, and there's one thing that's very VERY clear - a lot of you have a lot of questions about electronics starting at the most basic ("What do I need?"), ranging all the way up to more advanced product specific questions ("How do I adjust my receiver to push more volume out of my left front speaker than all of the other speakers in home theater mode?").

Throughout this blog, I'll get my hands on as many consumer electronics (CE) products as I can and put them through some pretty all-inclusive testing. Then I'll review the products in a fashion that allows for many different kinds of users to get a solid glimpse of the products' pros and cons.

I specifically want to mention that I'm not reviewing products on behalf of any manufacturer. If a manufacturer sends me products I will be grateful for their interest in my review but that will not make me more likely to review the product more favorably. If a product is really great, I will post that. If a product is worthless, or if a product is one that's long on concept(s) but short on quality, I'll post that as well. You don't need misinformation these days - you need something you can depend on.

I hope you like this blog. I really am going to be doing my best to make sure this contains a lot of value and is interesting to as many people as possible. If you do appreciate my blog, please let others know about it, link to it, even reference the material in your own blogs (all I ask is a little credit for my time an effort.)

Looking forward to it. Cheers.

Carlton