Blogs

JVC today announced the availability of a new entry-level Blu-ray player. The new XV-BP11 not only plays Blu-ray discs, but adds playback of the AVCHD format, the high definition format widely used for HD camcorders, including JVC's HD Everio line.

JVC XV-BP11 Features

• Playable Discs: BD-Rom, BD-R/RE, DVD-Video, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, Audio CD, CD-R/RW
• Playable Formats: AVCHD, WMV, JPEG, MP3, WMA, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital plus, Dolby True HD, DTS, DTS HD Master Audio/Essential

Best Buy has announced the Little Buddy Child Tracker to its' Insignia product line. Little Buddy allows you to keep tabs on your child at all times by slipping this little device into their backpack or lunchbox. It combines GPS and cellular technology to give you real-time location updates via computer or smartphone. Simply log onto Insignia's GPS Locator website to see a map of their exact location, so you know they haven't wandered off.

You can also customize the device to a specific location and time for where your child is supposed to be — for example, in school — and the device will alert you with a text message if your child leaves the designated area during that time. You will also receive an alert when the battery is running low. Do you have more than one child? Multiple Little Buddy's can be used to monitor other members of the family as well. Read more

SANYO has two new audio systems for your iPod, the DMP-P1 Cube Alarm Clock Radio with an iPod docking station, and the DMP-692 Dual Dock Music System.

The DMP-P1 Cube Alarm Clock features AM/FM PLL digital tuning with programmable alarm and iPod dock for recharging and playing. Wake up from either a song on your iPod's playlist, radio station or a buzzer mode. The radio also has sleep and snooze modes.

The DMP-692 Dual Dock Music System features AM/FM digital stereo tuners with dual programmable alarms. Just like the Cube Alarm Clock, you can wake up from either a playlist on your iPod or iPhone, radio station or a buzzer mode. It also has sleep and snooze modes. With this model, you can charge two iPods or an iPod and iPhone simultaneously. It also includes an integrated, rear-mounted, passive subwoofer for additional bass response and is a fully functional sound system in addition to a standard alarm clock. A remote controls the iPod/iPhone or AM/FM radio.

Both models are available through the SANYOStore.com website as well as retailers, with a suggested retail price starting at $39.99 for the Cube Alarm Clock Radio and $89.99 for the Dual Dock Music System.

Paradigm is now shipping the Special Edition (SE) Series speaker line. The SE series features the SE1, a bookshelf speaker, the SE3, a floorstanding model and the SE Center and SE Subwoofer, all with real wood veneer cabinets. Paradigm Special Edition (SE) speakers let budget conscious consumers get high-end sound, as expected from the Paradigm name.

SE 1 Bookshelf

• Two-driver 2-way bookshelf/stand-mounted:
• 5-1/2" M-ICP mid/bass, 1" H-PTD dome
• Estimated $299 MSRP

This is a great year to create personalized gifts for friends and family. Make them something they will remember forever by creating a photo or video disc of some of your best times together.

Do you have some shaky home video footage or cell phone videos you'd like to add to a disc but thought it impossible due to the quality? vReveal is your solution. It is not video editing software, but video enhancement software. This software features super-resolution technology that increases resolution, reduces noise, and provides stabilization. And, to make it even better…it is super easy to use. "One click" touch-up tools stabilize, clean, sharpen, brighten and increase the resolution of flawed videos. You can even trim a video or rotate sideways videos. Video files can be previewed and then saved to disc or upload them directly to YouTube. Read more

DJ Hero, one of the most anticipated music games of the year, is now available at retail stores. This all-new interactive music game lets you be the DJ, and with tracks from Rihanna to The Killers; Marvin Gaye to Daft Punk; Queen to the Black Eyed Peas, there is something for everyone.

The DJ Hero Renegade Edition includes a copy of the game, a premium Renegade turntable controller, hardshell turntable carrying case that converts to a performance-ready DJ stand, and an exclusive JAY-Z and EMINEM 2-CD pack featuring "best of" and new, unreleased material.Read more

Finally, after a long hard year of work, the time to take a vacation with your family has come. However, you may find that your budget simply won't permit you to stay in a fancy hotel with all the bells whistles… if you don't know how to find bargains, that is. Those hotels with the 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, jam packed refrigerator bars, marble bathrooms, and massive flat screen TVs aren't as far out of reach as you may think. Thanks to the internet, it is now easier than ever to find fantastic luxury hotel deals.

The keys to finding a good bargain on a four to five-star hotel are timing and flexibility. If you know exactly where you want to go and aren't willing to budge on your travel dates, you should expect it to be a lot harder to find a good deal on a hotel. On the other hand, if there are multiple destinations you wouldn't mind visiting and you're willing and able to pack your bags and go on vacation at the last minute, you'll find many more luxury hotel deals. Read more

Sprint just announced that the Palm Pixi will be available on November 15th for $99.99 with a two-year service agreement, after a $50 instant rebate and $100 mail-in rebate.

Pixi has the same features of the Palm Pre, including the gesture area, full QWERTY keyboard, Palm Synergy, true multi-tasking, universal search and intuitive notifications, but also adds Yahoo! integration to Palm Synergy, joining Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Exchange ActiveSync and LinkedIn. A new Facebook application will be available as well, so you can see and comment on all the latest news from your friends, as well as update your status. Read more

Sony and Netflix today announced that Playstation 3 users with Internet connectivity will be able to stream Netflix movies and TV episodes to TVs via the PlayStation 3 system. Netflix expects to begin streaming via the PS3 system next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PS3 system.

Netflix members will receive a free Blu-ray disc that will activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system. The system must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Once the disc is in the PS3, Netflix members can then watch movies and TV episodes instantly. Members can also use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues.

Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve the free instant streaming disc by going to www.netflix.com/ps3.

Verizon Wireless announced today that the BlackBerry Storm2 will be available beginning Oct. 28 at Verizon Wireless stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com. The BlackBerry Storm2 gets an upgrade with the BlackBerry OS 5.0, including new SurePress "clickable" display technology and built-in Wi-Fi.

The Storm2 features a 3.25-inch display at 184 ppi, 3G and global connectivity support, Wi-Fi, 256 MB of Flash memory, 2 GB of onboard media storage, a microSD/SDHD memory card slot with a 16 GB card (included). A 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, Image Stabilization, flash and video recording, 3.5mm headset jack, built-in GPS are also included.Read more