Blogs

This budget travel logging GPS is simple to operate and has easy-to-use software. It is useful for creating a track log showing routes taken in Google Earth or on Google Maps. My main usage is to Geotag (add geographical information to) photos uploaded to Flickr.

If all this “Travel Logger” and Geotagging talk is new to you there are video demonstrations on the i-Gotu product site showing usage with @trip and Flickr

A couple of features are that the unit uses are the almost industry standard SirfStar III chipset and water resistant case. There is no display other than two LED's. Battery charging is done via the USB cord. Sample rates can be customized to optimize battery life and track accuracy. While connected via USB the GPS can also act as a receiver for PC navigations software too.Read more

A simple, affordable flip phone from Alltel and LG that has a 1.3 MP camera and bluetooth. The Fastap Press-to-Experience keys are six Quick Keys integrated with the regular numeric keypad. The ability with Realtone Jukebox to play music stored in the memory slot (up to 8 GB) might be a good reason to choose this phone. There are external buttons to make controlling the music player much more convenient.

Alltel Wireless is offering the LG Swift, in a red and blue clamshell design, for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. This discounted price is for new customers on two-year service agreements, as well as existing eligible customers on qualifying rate plans.

Here is a quick roundup of games from THQ this Holiday season. Keep in mind, you want to trust the ratings on games today. T = Teen, M = Mature, E = Everyone. My five-year old had the opportunity to see a scene from a T = Teen game the other day, and he was full of questions. Here we go …

Saints Row 2
Unfamiliar gangs have laid claim to your territory, rival factions have taken over your rackets, and cash-hungry corporations have laid waste to your home. What are you going to do about it? Well, you know what you have to do.

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3 Read more

Zebralight makes amazing little flashlights and headlamps.

With the included accessories the H60 can be used in other ways than a headlamp. The lanyard or pocket clip makes it easy to use as a task light. It has 3 click modes, but each mode can be memorized to one of two levels. These levels go from a High mode at 190 lumens down to the Low mode that can run continuously up to 26 days. And not just with a spot, it has an 80 degree smooth flood beam.

Zebralight uses the great Cree LED's to drive this bright little light. The H60 requires one 18650 size battery and is OK with it being a rechargeable.

The price for the Zebralight H60 is $79. Check it out, or if you would rather one that uses a single AA battery, the Zebralight H50-Q5 Headlamp at $49 is an awesome light too.

Nokia is always innovating its products. The brushed metal look of the 6650 conveys a sense of coolness that most consumers expect. Plastic just does not hold up well when phones are dropped, and metal takes a lickin’ and keeps on calling.

The Nokia 6650 has a 2.0MP camera, integrated Flash, and a 2.2” color display with QVGA (16 million) colors. It also has a dedicated key for AT&T Navigator, you can share your videos with AT&T Video Share, and listen to music with AT&T Mobile Music.

Form meets function with style in this Nokia 6650 package. I like the fact that you can access and use the camera and music playback features without even opening the phone itself. There is a 1.36-inch display on the outside of the phone to view music, see who's calling etc. The ability to download additional applications is great for those who want to personalize their handheld voice-device – because face it – this is not your Father’s phone.

The Nokia 6650 is now being sold from AT&T retail stores for $69.99 with a two-year contract. For more information read the press release.

The features on the NAVIGON 8100T GPS unit are amazing. The brushed metal housing and expansive 4.8” display ooze quality and style. When holding this unit you expect performance that goes above and beyond traditional GPS units in the marketplace.

For $599 MSRP this is what you get: a Panorama 3D view, Free Real-Time Traffic Updates (for life), Voice Destination Entry (just say where you are going), Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Bluetooth Hands-Free, Advanced Text to Speech, Zagats Ratings and Reviews, Exit Guide, DirectHelp, Speed Assistant and more. For the traveler who expects quality in their trip, this unit will get you there and ensure a great time with ease of navigation.

NAVIGON was founded in 1991, and they not only make their own navigation products, but provide their products for other GPS navigation companies as well. Check them out, www.navigon.com.

For more information read the press release.

With everything going wireless, Monster Cable’s founder Noel Lee has to do something to keep the Monster Cable brand alive. In recent years the company has entered into the consumer electronics field with products for your iPod and other electronic devices. I particularly like Beats by Dr. Dre headphones that feature Powered Isolation technology for reduced external noise and deep bass and have extra large 40mm drivers. The Beats by Dr. Dre headphones have an MSRP of $349.99.

Lee recently said, “Hearing is believing.” If you have not invested in good headphones before, you might want to research this purchase and compare it with others in the market and make the plunge. After all, Dr. Dre knows his music, and his co-development with Monster only guarantees that you will hear Dr. Dre’s music the way he intends for it to be heard. My only suggestion is to trust your ears.

Sure, you can pick up the phone and call Grandma and tell her about the amazing view from the top of the ski lift, but wouldn’t you rather show her? Yeah, right... Grandma on a ski lift! Well, T-Mobile and Parrot have teamed-up to provide a digital photo frame that accepts multimedia message (MMS) and pictures from email...with its own dedicated phone number! You can send audio and video as well, but I am not sure of this digital frame’s capabilities with video, check the specifics when researching your purchase. It is an amazing way to share your life with loved ones, and your family will participate in sharing photos with Grandma. The T-Mobile cameo is the product name, and a monthly service fee of $10 is required with a one-year service contract. The T-Mobile cameo will be available in the coming weeks, with pricing to be announced. The MSRP of the cameo is expected to be around $100.

Another great product, and offer from T-Mobile is the MOTOZINE ZN5 . This is a phone, I mean camera. A camera that is a phone – seriously. The ZN5 is a five (5)-megapixel camera phone. Not two (2), but FIVE (5) megapixels. It has a built in flash, and the quality of the photos are amazing. Now Grandma’s new picture frame will have quality photos. www.t-mobile.com

I mean, do you listen to Slacker.com where there are custom radio stations of your favorite music? Seriously, check ‘em out: www.slacker.com. The Slacker G2 Personal Radio Player plays digital music in all its glory, and you can customize your play lists, and more. The Slacker G2 records, and fills up with your favorite radio stations by refreshing those favorites over Wi-Fi or USB. There is a 2.4’ color screen that displays artist profiles, album reviews and cover art. This is one sleek, modern looking consumer electronics device.

You can choose “Favorite” or “Ban” with one button for each to customize your device with your likes and dislikes. A custom Equalizer (EQ) and Volume normalization options provide flexibility in your listening preferences. The Slacker G2 comes in 25 and 40 station capacities. Oh yeah, your MP3’s and WMA files will also play on this device that has 15 hours of battery life.

The 4GB that holds 25 stations has an MSRP of $199, and the 8GB that holds 40 stations has an MSRP of $249. Digital music freedom comes to mind when explaining this product, enjoy…www.slacker.com

Well, not really, but when you buy a new phone from T-Mobile and sign-up for a two-year service agreement from 11/19 – 12/24/08 you will receive a companion ticket for free.

Have you been eyeing the new Google G1 phone? Get your phone with a free companion airline ticket and fly to Puerto Rico and all 48 States that connect to one another (meaning Hawaii and Alaska are not included). Taxes and fees including a per-flight booking fee apply. You can receive a maximum of five (5) companion flights per T-Mobile account, so if you plan on extending your T-Mobile service wait until 11/19/08. You must purchase a full fare ticket in order to use the companion ticket, but it is like buying one and getting one free. As with all offers there are restrictions, and you will find those here: www.flywitht-mobile.com. Save travels!