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Two from Brando

brando lego brick mp3 music playe
Here I am looking at two items that come from the company that charges $3 US shipping no matter how large your order. Fist an MP3 player that looks like a largish Lego brick and then an Alarm Clock radio that takes SD cards so you can wake to your choice of music guaranteed.
BB5003 MP3 Player Lego Brick This is a MP3 player but instead of using either internal memory or that of a USB stick it uses a Micro SD card (the ones most mobile phones use) this also gives you another way of transferring content from your phone to a PC or visa versa. It is 5.5x3.x1.5cm and mine was yellow but I think there are other colours.

Acer Adds Centrino 2

acer aspire centrinp 2 family launc
The recent launch of six new Intel Centrino 2 processors, with a further eight to follow over the coming months, has provided the impetus for notebook manufacturers to refresh their range of offerings.
click image to enlarge Acer Aspire 2930 One of the first companies to take advantage of the new technology behind the Centrino 2 processors is Acer. The company has launched various business and consumer models in the TravelMate and Aspire ranges. Several enhancements have been made to the TravelMate range of business notebooks.

USB 'ReadyBoost' capable flash drive comparison

kingston imation flash drive compariso
Flash drives have traditionally been fairly slow devices, but like all things to do with computers performance continues to improve over time. Here we compare two high-performance USB flash drives from Kingston and from Imation.
From Imation we're looking at the new "Atom Flash Drive", available in 1G, 2G, 4G and 8G bytes sizes. Our test sample is 1Gbyte. This is pitted against the Kingston Data Traveller 100, available in the same sizes.

Geneva ‘M’

geneva m ipod speaker syste
Jul 18, 2008 in Entertainment
This is a rather good iPod playing device, that just for good measure can play CD’s – of various types – has an FM radio and an ‘Aux’ input to play anything that can connect via a 3.5mm jack plug.
The first unusual thing about this 'box' is that it had no controls on it at all. Everything is done via the remote control. It is 37x26x19cm with leads plugged into the rear. Mine was white with a white grill on the front, at the top right of this- behind the grill - is a six character red LED display that displays what, where and how. The top has the name Geneva on the front edge and in the centre a slot loading CD.

All Round Protection

norton 360 all in one securit
Jul 17, 2008 in Software Review : Symantec Norton 360
Taking the see-through packaging route, Symantec has lunched the latest version of its Norton 360 product.
From the back and side, the box certainly looked like the standard packaging used by Symantec for its utility products.  However turning the box around revealed a see-through panel showing the software CD as if indicating that the enclosed product could see through any malicious attack made on your system.  This product is Norton 360 version 2.0 which arrives with the promise of providing all-in-one security with comprehensive, automatic protection.

Detection in Vegas

popcap mysterypi vegas heis
“Seek and ye shall find” could well be your mantra in the latest game to appear from PopCap Games.
Entitled Mystery PI: The Vegas Heist, you are cast in the role of the enigmatic, never-give-up, clue seeking private investigator who takes on the task of discovering the missing money.  This being , the recovery of the money is regarded as being far more important than apprehending those responsible for the heist.  Presumably less-savoury characters will deal out the punishment to those involved but that plays no part in this game.

GE A835 Digital Camera

ge a835 compact digital camer
Jul 16, 2008 in Cameras
Those who read my launch report at the start of the year will know the ‘A’ series are what GE consider to be their entry level offerings. It is a nice simple to use camera.
click to enlarge The GE A835 digital camera is small at 9x6.5x2.5cm the last figure can increase by 3cm when the zoom is fully out. It is silver grey in colour with a chrome strip along the top and sides and it weights around 170grams with its 2x'AA' batteries inserted. The front of the camera has the lens with the flash above and to the left, at the nearest it is 1cm from the lens. The right side has the anchor point for the wrist strap.

Displaying Your Images

kodak easyshare m1020 digital picture fram
Kodak combines images and music with touch border technology in its new digital picture frame series.
With its long standing reputation and experience in the field of photographic development, it was a natural progression for Kodak to get involved in the manufacture of digital displays. The result is the Kodak Easyshare Digital Picture Frame series currently consisting of 7, 8 and 10-inch models.

Motorola U9 clamshell mobile phone

motorola u9 pebl clamshell mobile phon
Jul 14, 2008 in Phones
A small pebble like clamshell, the U9 is available in pink, purple or graphite (black) with a glossy smooth finish and curved edges this phone feels great to hold.
The pink and purple variantes are most definitely aimed squarely at the female market, and in case you're not convinced Motorola provide a Pink or Purple test to help you choose your colour - question two asks whether you'd rather date Prince William or Prince Harry ( ). you can take the quiz here! The Motorola U9 is a quad-band phone that comes with a raft of features for those that prefer the clamshell format. Measuring 90 x 48.

Quality Earbuds

earlugs m JAYS an ATH EW
Here I will tell you about two different companies with wonderful earbuds that shall we say are not cheap. In fact both could probably cost more than the unit you plug them into.
m-JAYS Stereo Handsfree Headset/ Stereo Music Adapter This can be used two ways. First as a standard set of earbuds and second as a hands free setup that can work with a mobile phone. It is one of the new range of headsets that work with the Apple iPhone. It is in fact two items that can be used only as earbuds (60cm) or you can plug them into the second longer extension lead (80cm) that has the microphone.

Mice from Microsoft and Belkin

microsoft belkin mic
First the Wireless Notebook Microsoft Presenter Mouse 8000 that comes in some very novel packaging. Second the Belkin offering that I first saw last August as a prototype a washable mouse.
Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 This is the first mouse I have reviewed that comes in it's own carrying case, and more than that, it swivels in the packaging so you can view it 360 degrees while still on the dealers shelf.

Navman Directions

navman s30 GPS satnav uni
Jul 12, 2008 in Misc Review : Navman S30 GPS SatNav
The merger between Mio and Navman has seen a division of targeted territories with the Navman branded products taking care of the UK. The company’s entry-level product is the S30 model. This particular device has a suggested retail price of £149 although the more experienced shopper should be able to find the S30 listed at a more tempting price with the minimum of effort.
Included in the box with the SatNav device is a mounting bracket that can attach to the windshield using a clip-down sucker.  You also get a cigarette lighted power adaptor and a mini USB cable for linking to a computer.

An LG Secret

lg secret mobile cell phon
Jul 11, 2008 in Phones Review : LG Secret KF750
The boss of LG in the UK made a great joke of telling journalists prior to the announcement that the name of their new phone was Secret. He was of course correct it is called ‘Secret’.
click to enlarge It is 10x4.5x1cm when closed, when the screen moves upwards to reveal the twelve key keypad this increases the first figure by 3.5cm. The phones weight is 110grams. It is matt black with a silver band and controls and the back is a fine checkerboard pattern of grey and black weaved to look like tweed. The viewable screen area is 5x3.7cm. The left side has the dual headset and charger port.

Mobile Power Access

kensington 33403EU power suppl
Although a number of institutions provide power sources for your mobile devices, there could be problems with other locations. Kensington offers a possible solution with its latest power adapter.
Kensington has updated its range of Notebook Power adapters.  Consisting of three different models in the series, this review is based on the K33403 product.  This particular item provides a combination of wall / auto / air functionality plus USB connectivity for various mobile devices.

Bus Drivers Wanted

avanquest bus simulator game software p
Jul 9, 2008 in Software Review : Avanquest Bus Simulator
In real life buses can sometimes appear in convoys. However a move to a virtual environment results in a bus becoming a solitary vehicle.
I have to admit, that as a child, the job of being a bus driver, or any type of driver for that matter, did not feature to high in the list of possible future careers that I considered in any moments of wishful thinking.  Buses were merely a mode of transport for my own convenience rather than an object of affection such as my collection of cigarette and bubble gum cards.

CorelDRAW X4

corel draw x4 graphic suit
Jul 9, 2008 in Software Review : CorelDRAW Graphic Suite X4
This piece of software in various guises has been on my PC for many many years. So what is in version 14 – sorry X4 – to make you upgrade or indeed what has it to offer for those who have never succumbed to it’s charms.
When reviewing hardware I usually start with the dimensions and I suppose the equivalent for software are it's system requirements. Windows XP (Service Pack 2) or Windows Vista (either 32bit or 64bit). After that it's 512MB of Ram, 430MB of hard disc space, a 1024x768 or greater display, a mouse or tablet and a DVD drive. There are four main applications in the box all with the X4 suffix, CorelDRAW, Corel PhotoPaint, Corel PowerTrace and Corel Capture.

Ghost Protection

norton ghost backup recover
Jul 8, 2008 in Software Review : Symantec,Norton,Ghost 14
Computer protection should be automatic and should not be intrusive. Symantec believes its Ghost product fits the bill.
Although the Concise Oxford Dictionary lists definitions that include "Soul of dead person in Hades" and "bright spot or secondary image in field of telescope due to defect of lens", Symantec would like you to think of Ghost as the preferred method of protecting your computer with advanced backup and recovery technology.

3Dconnexion's SpaceNavigator for Notebooks

3Dconnexion space navigator 3d mouse noteboo
Jul 7, 2008 in Laptops/PCs/Apple
If you're one of those people that have to interact with virtual 3D worlds it's quite possible that you'll find using a mouse and keyboard either frustrating, limiting or both. A 2D pointing device just doesn't give enough flexibility to move in a 3D world.
The solution proposed by 3Dconnexion, a division of Logitech best known for their mice and keyboards, is the SpaceNavigator, described as a 3D mouse. We reviewed the SpaceNavigator back in September 2007 ( ). you can read that review here 3Dconnexion have now released a smaller, lighter Navigator - for notebooks. To recap - the SpaceNavigator in a single hand control allows you to : pan, zoom, tilt, spin, roll, move.

Kodak EasyShare M893

kodak m893 compact digital camer
Jul 7, 2008 in Cameras
One of the latest batch of Digital Cameras from Kodak. Having recently (06-07-08) looked at a quite reasonable offering from them can this pocket offering match up.
click to enlarge Certainly an item aimed at the novice user but this is not helped by a user guide (12 languages) that does not go into enough detail. There is help on the camera that would be enough for the intermediate user but would they be using it? The Kodak M893 digital camera measures 9x5.5x2cm, the last figure the width can double under zoom.

MoGo and Energizer

mogo daptor energiser quattr
First certainly the smallest thing I have ever reviewed, something for those of us with older notebooks without Bluetooth. Second higher power rechargeable batteries and multi charger from Energizer.
MoGo Laptop Compact Bluetooth USB Adapter I would certainly not advise sneezing near this tiny device or it could easily get lost. My electronic kitchen scales failed to register when I put it on them and they happily weigh as little as a single gram. It is 2cm long but only 1cm of this will protrude once inserted into a USB port. It is a maximum of 1.5cm wide and slightly concave so you can grip it should you ever want to remove it.
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