GadgetSpeak Articles
GadgetSpeak has close to 5,000 product reviews and other articles. You can use this page to find others opinions on anything from mobile phones to computers to the latest kitchen appliance
A Haynes manual for those who would like to build a PC or those who would just like to know more about what is inside and why.
Haynes has just published the latest (3 ) edition of "Build Your Own Computer" with the sub-title "The complete step-by-step manual to constructing a PC that's right for you". It is not before time as, even though the 2 edition was only published in 2005, the world has moved on with Microsoft having released Vista, the latest version of Windows, and dual-core processors are now the norm from both Intel and AMD.
When was the last time you gave your system a spring clean? Perhaps it is time you looked at a suite designed to carry out this task for you.
System Suite 7 has now been replaced by version 8, for about the same price.
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Update : Click here to read
our review of System Suite 8 Keeping your personal computer running smoothly, let alone at optimum capacity, can be a time consuming task. In some cases you could spend so much time carrying out maintenance that you leave little time for more productive and entertaining past-times.
It's a great time of year to test gadgety toys and games. As Christmas draws closer we're reviewing some Gadgetspeak favourites. This week's selection includes some furry friends (Nintendogs Trainer Pup and Interactive Pup and Shaun the Sheep Music Scene) and the not so fluffy (the latest Tamagotchi and a Teletubbie stocking filler). Our kids loved all of these!
Tamagotchi JinSei Plus The new
(connection version 4) by Bandai. These tiny electronic pets
are a firm favourite with the kids, and Tamagotchi keep updating it so we want to
buy more. This pocket sized virtual pet lives inside a small plastic case. It needs love
and attention - playing games with it will make it happy and reward you for your time.
Having recently looked at a DSLR from Olympus this is the other end of the scale however not only is it small and has a decent zoom but it is also close to waterproof.
The Olympus μ780 weights under a 150grams, will fit in the palm of an adults hand. It is 10x5.5x2.5cm and is made of aluminium. The right side has a dual slot for DC input and USB AV out. The left side is blank while the base has insertion point for the solid battery and the same cover covers for the optional XD card, the base also has screw fixing for a tripod.
If you've got a BlueTooth enabled phone (or computer) stuffed with photos you never look at then
Parrot have just the frame for you.
Electronic have been out for a while from various manufacturers. Most of these allow you to transfer images from your computer via USB. That's all well and good, but each time you want to change the pictures you have to move the frame to your computer and find that cable (ok - where you safely store it this time? photo frames did Parrot have a different take on populating the frame with your images.
The recent deluge of rain and floods, at least at the time of writing, does seem to be the ideal opportunity for getting in the mood for a trip to Venice
Well known for its mosaics, churches, the , canals and gondolas, is now the chosen location for a new game developed by Retro64 and available from Popcap. Venice Deluxe is described as a puzzle-powered retro action game set among the water thoroughfares of 's famed city. of Bridge Sighs Venice Italy Your task is to save from sinking into a watery grave. The job is achieved by taking part in four different game modes.
While this rather wet summer may have reduced the number of flying insects that are around, you can add to their numbers with your own dragonfly
Children often have a fascination for insects of all varieties. I have a clear recollection of one of my younger sisters often carrying worms around in her pocket but that's another story. Along with the overwhelming desire to get to grips with the insect world, the aspect of flight - a vital ability for many insects - can quickly arouse and captivate a child's attention.
This is a full featured PDA a phone and of course a GPS unit. However unlike some other PDAs with GPS abilities this is firstly a GPS unit and it has the ability to make phone calls and to be a PDA. Of course being a PDA you only have a soft keyboard.
It is 9.5x6x2cm and weights only less than 150grams. The viewable screen is 5.5x4cm. As a GPS unit it works exactly the same as other recent Mio units reviewed.
A versatile home and small office telephone unit with up to 4 handsets and built in answerphone.
This is a good phone for a small or home office, or even a family of 4. You can have up to four handsets on the Siemens Gigaset E365, each of which can be used as your own personalised telephone on the same incoming telephone number (although of course only one of you can make or receive a call on an ordinary line at any one time).
When you are unable to deliver your message in person, what better substitute than using a talking head.
Talking heads have been around for quite a while. Whether representing celebrity faces, animals or any types of inanimate objects you care to think of, these computer generated animated images have infiltrated the fields of entertainment and marketing with the ability to amuse and grab the attention of consumers.
I'm a big fan of driving games so as you can imagine I was delighted to have the opportunity to take SEGA's latest release of their Rally game for a spin. Read on if you'd like to know how I faired!
I think one of the first games I ever played on a personal computer back in the very early 80's was a driving simulation game. The road was a couple of white vectors and it was, naturally, night-time. All you had to do was stay on the road. Well times have changed, and with each new generation the thrill gets greater and the adrenaline pumps that little bit harder.
This is a DAB/FM stereo radio, an alarm clock and it also has a CD player. It has a creamy white rubberised material covering the front and top.
Certainly not a tiny unit and perhaps not the easiest to move around. It is mains operated and has a wire aerial that in some cases I found was not really that great. It is 19cm deep, 15.5cm wide and 15cm tall, while it is not that heavy there are no hand holds so you need to hold it in the palm of your hand, still it's not designed to be moved.
Heavy both in weight and content as the subject they both cover is one of the most full featured software products around Adobe Photoshop the latest CS3 version and the CS3 Design Premium.
Photoshop CS3 Bible Certainly not a light read in fact you may need to build some muscle to pick it up as it is 1200 pages. As regular readers will know I enjoy a good read in the 'smallest room' this I made an exception as it needs to be adsorbed near a PC as a lot of what it says needs to be tried before the thought process goes. It comes with a companion CD-ROM containing tutorials.
Out of sight, out of mind is not a sensible approach to your data when disposing of unwanted storage devices. Every effort should be made to ensure the data is destroyed before parting company.
While we take precautions with anti-virus software, pop-up blockers, spam filters and various security devices (well at least I hope you do), how many consider the danger of having our personal data falling into the hands of others through our own fault. This can easily happen when we sell, donate or otherwise dispose of computer equipment that is no longer wanted. Relying of the delete command to remove data from a hard disk is asking for trouble.
A compact food processor for basic food preparation tasks around the kitchen.
The Moulinex Vitacompact is designed to take up minimum space in the kitchen and achieves this by incorporating the major functions you would expect - without all the frills. There are only two major units to store away from the countertop machine - the liquidiser and the citrus juicer. For practical people with little space, this is a major consideration.
This annual event takes place at a very early hour, unlike the Toy Fair the items of show here are available now, and, there are items that are already getting hard to find.
Here I will tell you about just ten items that if promises are kept I should be able to give you a full review of them all before Christmas. Firstly the only producer that I have selected two items from Mattel (Fisher Price brand). First a puppy that over a period of four days grows into a dog. You have the option to return it to a puppy or keep it at any stage. A nice idea that I look forward to seeing how well it functions.
If you have a Bluetooth enabled audio device (MP3 player, mobile phone etc) and want
a straightforward set of portable speakers then Parrot may just have what you're
looking for in their Parrot Party product
There are a very large number of portable speaker systems available on the market right now, a sector buoyed up by the popularity of MP3 players in general and the Apple iPod in particular. Many of the available units however are either dedicated to a specific type of player or are limited to a 3.5mm jack/phone auxiliary-in type solution.
Although your mobile phone probably came with a headset, you may want to replace it with something better.
When deciding on a new mobile phone for your personal use, it is no longer enough to look at elements covering cost, features and appearance but also the availability of add-ons and accessories. Take, for example, an accessory that turns your mobile phone into one that is hands-free for most eventualities. Although most mobile phones come with an ear bud style of headset, this is one popular area that is often considered for upgrading.
While a drum roll is often used to announce a new product, in this case the drum roll is the product.
When checking out this next product I was reminded of a Yellow Pages advertisement of a few years ago which advised customers "to let your fingers do the walking". However, in this case, instead of walking, your fingers would be required to do the drumming with Finger Beats. This product, distributed in the by Re:creation, could well be described as a portable drum kit for the emerging percussionist.
This is the ideal system for a childs first system, not too many features no great bells or whistles but a good solid offering at a not too large a price. Alternatively it could be a backup unit.
So what do you get in the 23x18x8cm unit. A CD Player, FM/AM radio, Clock with Alarms, external connections so an MP3 player can output through the external speakers and of course the all but obligatory remote control. The speakers are 24x8.5x2cm and can either be wall mounted or sit on a fold out stand (deck chair like). Each speaker has a 3.5mm jack plug on the end of a 60cm lead.
A roomy laptop backpack for communiting, with plenty of space and the added benefit of specially designed cushioning and lost and found tracking sytem. Part of the extensive Tech air range.
This review is about the Tech air range of laptop bags. There are two unique features of Tech Air bags, one is the Tech Air technology and the second is the i-TRACK (tm) tracking system. Both features are about protection for your laptop bag and it's contents. The Tech air technology, is briefly a series of pressurised air tubes which surround the laptop compartment of the case/bag.
Turning your home videos into DVD content is becoming a popular activity. Corel has recently entered this area following its take over of Ulead.
Continuing the process of integrated the recently acquired Ulead titles into its portfolio of products, Corel has released VideoStudio 11 Plus. This product brings video editing and DVD authoring capabilities to the Corel family.
Scanners have come a long way since the bulky desk-top units of a few years back. The DocuPen RC800
is the latest in a range of hand-held scanners for those that just need to scan on the move.
The DocuPen is intended to be dragged down something flat that you want to scan. The device is intended for use on the move, scanning images and storing them for later retrieval by your computer. Internal standard memory is 8Mbytes, which is fine for storing a few black and white pages of text, but is insufficient for much in the way of colour.
Silver and grey this is a multi function unit (it has fax) and it is described as an office product so unfortunately however nice it may be it will be expensive.
First the all important dimensions it is 44x34x18cm rather different than what is stated in the HP link, mine include the inserted power lead. All the controls are in a panel in the centre of the face with the exception of the on/off switch that for some reason is at the bottom left of the front.
Here I am looking at superior luggage for you and for your notebook (up to 17inches) nothing gaudy or flashy just quality luggage.
Laptop Attach This looks somewhat plain it is soft to the touch but everything is in the design. Take the shoulder strap it goes from a point 5cm from the edge of one side of the top zip to a similar point 5cm from the edge of the other side, so perfect balance even if the zip is not closed.
Ever met a true cybersecurity expert? Meet Koushik Pal
Hey Guys! Today we have with us, an awesome cybersecurity expert, ethical hacker and tech guru from India. He is also the Founder and CEO of a well known website regarding cybersecurity. First of all, a huge thank you to to give us time, we are honored to welcome him in our interview.He has been nominated in the following categories please do check out these award pages Mr. Pal believes that the most exciting thing about technology is Ethical Hacking because of growing cybercrimes.
Leading and providing the competition, Nero 8 is packed with enough tools to satisfy most users looking to transfer data to optical media.
Continuing with its policy of supplying software in flip-top boxes, Nero's latest edition of its flagship product, namely Nero 8, is now with us. Arriving with the promise to "Create and Manage Your Digital Life", Nero 8 has upped its demands with regards to required system specifications to handle the various applications that make up this suite of software.
An efficient, good looking, easy to use and clean juicer with citrus and centrifrugal attachments to handle citrus fruits, hard fruit and vegetables.
Today I tested the / . It comes with two separate juicing attachments - citrus and the centrifrugal. As you'd expect the citrus juicer is there for oranges, grapefruits, limes, and the like. On top of the brushed crome electrical unit sits a bowl, sieve and a citrus squeezer which is just the same shape as those you use by hand.
These days with phones being able to do almost everything it is nice to find a phone that is easy to use and setup it does also have extras like an FM radio but they do not intrude.
The Fly SL600 is a small lightweight slide phone, with camera, FM radio plus all the other normal abilities of a phone but most of all switch on dial the number and speak. To receive a call open the slide and listen. Nothing fancy and this 'Fly' phone is available from Woolworth's. It seems to be tied to Vodafone but like most mobile companies choose your tariff to suit the way you use your phone.
Like many things, as soon as you get away from home the things you take for granted either
disappear, or become really expensive. Internet access is just one of those impossibly expensive
things that would be incredibly useful on the move.
La Fontera and Hawkings Antenna
Email is one of those services that we take for granted - almost everyone uses it. On the road
though if you want to access email you either have to find an Internet Cafe or pay an exorbitant
fee for the privilege, either using a WiFi hot spot or (slowly) via your mobile phone.
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