Blogs

There is another Internet clock radio hitting the marketplace, the chumby one. It is similar to the original chumby device (now known as the "chumby classic"), with content available from more than 1,500 applications such as Pandora Radio, The Weather Channel, MTV, CBS and The New York Times. However, the chumby one has a few new features. It has an ABS plastic casing rather than leather, a battery option (using a standard rechargeable lithium ion battery), an FM radio tuner, and a volume knob.

Facebook and Twitter can be monitored, and photos can be shared from sites like Flickr and Photobucket. You can also watch sports clips, play games, or choose from more than 200 different clock applications to display on the touchscreen device. Read more

PENTAX just announced a FOCUS ON SAVINGS rebate that offers a $100 prepaid card on a choice of PENTAX lenses. From now until January 15, 2010, K-7 buyers can select from more than 20 lenses (listed below) and receive a $100 VISA prepaid card rebate for each and every qualifying lens* purchased at the same time. Read more

Super K.O Boxing 2
System: iPhone/iPod Touch
MSRP: $4.99
Release Date: October 1, 2009

Super K.O Boxing 2 is like Punchout, except with more flair. But, has Glu Games created an interesting boxing game that isn't just shiny?

Graphics

The first thing you will notice in Super K.O Boxing 2 is that the graphics are very crisp and cartoon-like. The boxers will dish out various punches and jabs, along with flaming punches and one-tow combos. Surprisingly, with everything that can go on in a round, I never once noticed any lag or distortion. And for the record, I have an older 1st Gen iPhone (i.e. weaker processor).Read more

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, and with that comes the holiday shopping season. If you are in the market for a new digital camera for someone on your gift list, one to consider is the Nikon COOLPIX S70.

Not only does the S70 feature 12.1 megapixels, it has a 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen display. OLED technology gives you excellent color reproduction, sharp contrast and the absence of afterimages. And the touchscreen? Thanks to it, there is only one button on the camera, the shutter release button. Using the Touch Shutter feature, you can take pictures completely "button-free" by just touching the camera's display. You can even retouch images, zoom in or out and switch between thumbnail and full screen views by using pinch and swipe movements, similar to using the touchscreen on the iPhone. The camera adds a couple of new touchscreen controls too, such as on-screen sliders to adjust the brightness, and the new Scene Effect Adjustment gives you controls specific to the scene mode you're using.Read more

Dell just introduced the new mini-sized Inspiron Zino HD desktop computer. Measuring only 7.75 inches square and 3.5 inches tall, and with a starting price of just $229, the Inspiron Zino HD is a good economical choice for those short on space.

Available in 10 colors, the Inspiron Zino HD includes a choice of AMD processors or dual core Athlon Neo X2 6850e, up to 8GB dual channel DDR 2 memory, up to 1TB internal hard disk storage, a DVD/CD RW drive with optional Blu-ray Disc combo, Itegrated 10/100/1000 networking with wireless option, and optional wireless keyboard and mouse.

Built in 2.1 high-definition audio and 4-in-1 media card reader is also included as well as an integrated ATI graphics adapter with standard HDMI and VGA video connections, and optional 512MB discrete graphics adapter. It has four USB ports (2 front/2 rear); two eSATA ports (rear).

The Inspiron Zino HD is available now at www.dell.com with a choice of operating systems from Windows Vista Home Basic through Windows 7 Professional.

Panasonic this week announced an audio system that is not only a CD player, AM/FM radio and iPod dock, but a digital photo frame as well! The new MW-10 gives you audiophile-quality sound from the CD player, and its FM/AM radio tuner has 45-station (30-FM/15-AM) Preset Memory. The Universal Dock for iPod plays your music and videos too. A remote control is also included.

Pure, crisp sound is achieved from the speaker which is made from bamboo cones, and it has diffusers in front of the speaker units which disperse sound over a wide area. Panasonic didn't forget about the bass either. The unit has a D.Bass function which enhances bass in conjunction with the volume level.Read more

Walmart announced a huge pre-Black Friday sale on smartphones starting tomorrow, November 14th. With the purchase of a BlackBerry at Walmart, get a $100 Walmart Gift card to be used on future purchases. This is available for one week only (Nov. 14-20) and covers all major carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. A two year contract is required.

The deal is available on the following BlackBerry devices:

• AT&T Curve 8310
• AT&T Bold 9000
• Sprint Curve 8330 (Red & Titanium colors)
• T-Mobile 8520 (Black, White, and Frost)
• T-Mobile Pearl 8120 (Emerald)
• Verizon Storm
• Verizon Storm2

It will be offered both in store and online at www.walmart.com/wireless. But remember, this is valid only from November 14, 2009 through November 20th. If purchased online, a $100 Walmart.com eGift Card will be emailed in four to six weeks.

Canton today announced two new models in its high-end Vento loudspeaker line -- the floorstanding Vento 880 DC and the Vento 810 bookshelf speaker. These are the first models in the line with the company's 6-inch aluminum cone woofer, making them an inch narrower than other Vento models.

Measuring 39-inches tall, and under 8-inches wide, the Canton Vento 880 DC is a three-way bass reflex floorstanding speaker with a pair of aluminum cone woofers and a 6-inch aluminum midrange driver. It also features Canton's DC technology for clear, linear bass reproduction; at frequencies lower than other conventional speakers its size. The Vento 880 DC is available now for $2,250.

The new Vento 810 is the smallest model in the Vento lineup. Featuring a single 6-inch aluminum woofer, this compact two-way speaker is great to use as a satellite or surround speaker in a home theater system or can also be used as a small monitor. Also available now, it retails for $800. Read more

This week it was announced that iPhone users can receive HD radio stations with the new Gigaware Navigation Control HD Radio Receiver from iBiquity. Sold only at Radio Shack, this device allows iPhone and iPod touch devices running Apple 3.0 software to receive HD Radio.

The device acts as an antenna to receive HD Radio signals. To use, just plug it into the dock connector on your iPhone or iPod touch and HD Radio FM stations will play on your handheld's headphones. The device works in conjunction with the free Gigaware app (available at Apple's app store) which includes iTunes tagging, favorite station bookmarks, as well as Twitter and Facebook integration.

The Gigaware Navigation Control HD Radio Receiver is available now for $79.99 at RadioShack stores and the RadioShack Web site. The Gigaware application is available as a free download at Apple's App Store.

Many people are gravitating to the living room to view Internet entertainment on their televisions. Hillcrest Labs created a device with these people in mind, the Loop pointer. The Loop pointer is a wireless in-air mouse that lets you control an on-screen cursor with hand motions. Different from any mouse you've seen before, it has a round, ergonomic shape featuring just four buttons and a scroll wheel. To use, simply hold the device in any position, and control online video sites, photo sites, music sites, and more on the computer or TV screen.

Because of the Loop's innovative design and technology, the device was just named an International CES Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree. Congrats, Hillcrest Labs!

The Loop pointer can be purchased at www.hillcrestlabs.com/loop or www.amazon.com for just $77 (regularly $99) as part of a current promotion.