These are a very unusual set of speakers from Harman Kardon a name that often comes up with speakers in notebook computers. However I doubt any other company has ever produced anything like these before.
What you get are a pair of sound sticks each with four speakers and a sub woofer. The first difference is that both the sound sticks and the sub woofer are see through. They look like glass but are plastic. Each sound stick is 25cm tall around 5cm across and at points 5cm deep. The sub woofer has the advantage that it is not as heavy as it looks and can be placed on the floor out of the way but of course being unusual you will want it on display. It is 20cm round and 25cm tall.
I have used this for several weeks, however only around ten days ago did the HDMI cable arrive. Do not try using a Blu Ray player without the HDMI cable as you will hear music, sound effects but no speech when using Composite cables supplied.
A couple of recent reports say that within three years we will all be using Blu-ray, well if the quality of sound and video I achieved using this unit and the Sony TV (reviewed four days ago) are anything to go by I say yes please. Once you have connected the Blu-ray player to your TV and tuned it to whatever setting you are connected by (anything but HDMI will be inferior) it should when switched on go to easy setup if not follow the instructions in the 64 page instruction manual.
I first saw a very early build of the new version of CS4 at the start of August but I was prevented from telling about it till now. There are of course lots of new goodies large and small and when I finally get a copy I will tell you in detail about some of them.
As always there are a series of different products (six I understand) but here let's concentrate first on Photoshop CS4. Content Aware is an amazing feature - if it works as shown - in the one slide I have seen, the scenario four people running along a beach spaced out in the original, this is then altered to fit a column and although the image has a lot less width and more height all are still shown more or less in situ.
Huge Plastacine rabbits, thats what I think of when I think of the latest Sony TVs they were used to promote the vivid colours that these are capable of. Of course they are great TVs but are they worth the premium the name brings.
This is the KDL-32E4000 the instruction book lists seventeen models that all work the same way, maybe that says something that a whole range from 26 to 52 inch operate without difference. There is of course one that the screen will operate at a lower resolution for models less than 37 inches. I am told there are a couple of 32 inch around that work at 1080 but this is the first one I have reviewed.
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Misc
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21 Sep 2008
While most photo frames are larger maybe there is a place for a smaller one. Secondly a solar mobile phone charger that can hold enough charge for two complete charges of almost any mobile phone.
This is a unit from Cenomax. Mine was cream in colour with a reflective surround to the viewable area. It is 9.5x7.5x1.3cm. The actual screen is 7x5.4cm giving the notional 3.5inch diagonal measurement. It has a rechargeable battery but even though the charge method is USB no PC is required as the lead goes to a special 13amp plug so all that is required to recharge it is a mains socket.
Normally you would get my opinion as an experienced computer user but a very basic musician. Here something different the view of a very experienced musician but almost a computer novice.
My friend Don has been a semi pro musician (keyboard player) for more than forty years. He has only a few years computing knowledge and only a few months with Broadband. He had some software by Finale -Print Music- but he always wanted more than it could give, and Sibelius will import Print Music files. So around five months ago I gave him Sibelius 5.

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Phones
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17 Sep 2008
This is another in a growing band of phones with a 5mega pixel camera. While I doubt this will ever replace a digital camera for a photographer but, as everyone always seems to take their mobile phone with them it can be where a digital camera is not.
This phone certainly has a solid feel. It is 10x5x1.5 when closed and this increases by another 3.5cm when the screen is moved up to reveal the 12 key keypad. The phone weights 90grams. The screen on the KC550 is 4.9x3.8cm and is clear and easy to read. The first unusual thing is a slide on the rear that hides/exposes the 5 megapixel auto focus camera lens. When pulled down it exposes not only the lens but the flash and the self image mirror.
Here I am looking at the latest offering from Pure Digital the One Mini. Just as this arrived Pure announced they had sold 2,000,000 DAB radios this is of course DAB but also FM and you can connect an iPod or portable CD.
It is 14x13x6cm a lot smaller than most DAB/FM units, probably the reason for the name 'Mini'. It has an eight piece rod aerial that increases the second figure the height by 44cm if it is extended vertically. The rear has input for the A/C adapter, there is a battery bay but this can only accept a 'ChargePAK' and not standard alkaline batteries. The top has six silvered buttons, the large one on the left on/off and the other five all labelled as to their job.
Yes now with this rather good quality webcam and microphone on a stand you also get an electronic fan to keep you cool while you have your video conversations. You can of course use either one individually.
It looks rather futuristic on its chromed articulated arms that can be bent to whatever position you require. The camera can be as much as 18cm from the base. While the microphone that emerges on its own chromed articulated lead from the base of the camera and is 12cm. Yet another chromed articulated lead emerges from the base and this is 12cm with the fan on its end there is a small push button to operate the fan on the base. The base is 6.

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Misc
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11 Sep 2008
Often taking notes is discouraged simply because to make then permanent needs transcribing. One solution is a notebook or even a Tablet PC. These however are heavy and normally quite expensive. The Zpen from Dane-Elec is another somewhat cheaper option.
You write on a sheet of paper with the special pen and all your strokes are recorded in what looks like a paper clip, plug this clip into a USB port and then you can see what you had written on the paper on a PC screen. At this point it can be saved as a graphic or even a PDF file. Run another piece of provided software and it could even turn into text. This last piece of software works a little like OCR software works on printed output works on scanned input.
Here two items the first a quality speaker that runs of three AAA batteries and the second a headset that enables your phone to remain firmly in your pocket or bag and thus saves you from becoming a target for thieves.
This is a single battery operated circular speaker for anything that has either a 3.5mm or 2.5mm output jack. It is described as a 360 degree speaker and that the battery life is stated to be 24 hours so is ideal for a small group to listen round. While it is likely the 'group' would be young people, I found that in a normal room environment this speaker gave plenty of volume from an MP3 player.
To describe this as a hand blender is a vast underestimate. Not only is it that but with the various containers it becomes far more with the ability to be quickly attached to turn it into a variety of useful kitchen gadgets.
First as the hand blender it is 36cm tall, holding it at the thickest part of the rubberised grip it is 15cm round just about comfortable for an adult hand. The top 19cm is the rubberised piece and this is where the powerful 700watt motor lives. There are two push buttons on/off and turbo but above these near the top is a control wheel with speeds from 1 to 5 for various tasks.

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7 Sep 2008
The first is a conventional watch with a plus that it can also be used as a Wi-Fi finder. The second is perhaps a clock that is a talking point more than something to tell the time but it does that as well.
Wi-Fi Finder Watch The instruction manual calls it rather grandly an Alarm Chronograph Module. Well I suppose it is as it can be used as a countdown timer, Chrono Timer, Regular Watch with Calendar, Alarm Mode and by pressing a button at the base of the face finds any Wi-Fi networks in range. The watch is 3.8x4.2x1.5cm and comes with a fitted rubberised strap.
This is the largest of three models that give a truly improved sound from the otherwise rather bland output available from the Apple iPod. While Orbitsound T12 unit comes with a sub woofer the really exciting stuff is developed in the main unit.
It is 53x13x10cm with leads inserted. The only thing I have not included is the height of your iPod above the top of the unit, simply because this will vary according to the model you use. The Orbitsound product produces 'airSOUND' from a single speaker giving not only an ordinary stereo effect but also a wide stereo. The nearest thing I have heard previously to this is a product devolped by Yamaha a few years ago but this was huge in comparison and was solely to give a decent output from a TV.
This is a 500GB external hard disk but that is far from all of its abilities, apart from connecting to a PC it can also connect to a TV, DVD player or set top box and it can store your own digital movie and music library for playback on your TV or PC.
It is 19.5x16x5cm with cables connected and it is shiny black but as this will never pass the lounge police it could happily sit in a draw of cupboard with only a trailing wire to tell it was there. The front has an on/off button and a .5cm thin strip window that shows various LED through it. The left side base and top have nothing while the rear has four connections power input, A/V in and A/V out and a USB port.
Not as you may think power tools but a couple of high powered torches and then all you need to keep stuff cool or warm providing you have a cigar lighter socket nearby so ideal for days out in the car.
Black&Decker Light Bar BDLB14 Now summer is officially over maybe we will have some decent weather for those outdoor activities, the only problem is nights are drawing in so light is needed, while an ordinary torch will light you way its probably a pain to read with and certainly for things like eating not really enough. Here a 26.5cm tall light bar, it can be hung or stood on any flat surface.
While this is a digital photo frame it also plays music and can even play .AVI movies both sound and video, in fact it is a rather nice product all round. There has to be a minus point and my tests have produced two.
It is 32x21cm around the outside, if you have it flat against something it is 4cm thick if you use the fold out flap stand this adds another 11cm. The viewable area of the screen is 22x13cm giving the notional 10.2inches. In theory it can be controlled from the buttons on the rear of the unit, in fact to start a screen show you need the supplied remote control. This is the watch/clock battery type with ten buttons and of course the ubiquitous five position joystick.

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Cameras
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29 Aug 2008
This review has taken longer than usual, partly as I have had a few computer problems, but probably mainly because it is rare for me to be challenged by such a good camera as I rarely get to review a DSLR.
I think the majority of professional photographers use a Canon unit of some sort. This is quite light and a semi professional photographer friend of mine was quite envious. Of course the real professionals have umpteen lenses and numerous tripods. What I tested was with a single 18-55mm lens. I rarely start with the weight but this was only 770grams with neck strap attached, the only extra a professional would need to use would be an external flash gun.
One was version 6 the other was version 4 so to avoid thoughts of one being behind the other both these new versions will be called 7. They will be available separately or as a bundle together at a saving of around £30.
Everything I'm telling you about today was the result of a meeting around a month ago with Mike Lampietro of Adobe a demo and some slides, as and when the new versions are available which I am told is likely to be around the end of September I will try various things for myself in separate reviews.
We all know Digital TV is coming but before you chuck out perfectly good TVs because they do not have a SCART socket there is a way to get Digital TV using this little box from TVonics.
I have a 14inch Analogue TV that sits in my kitchen it works fine but when the switch off gets to my area it will end up in landfill or so I thought till I heard of this TVonics box. I had thought of adding a Digital Box but they all need a SCART socket apart from this offering. The box is 7x9x2.5cm with cables inserted. In fact this can be hidden away anywhere and the only visible item is a little 4x3x1cm IR sensor unit.
Sunday is no longer a rest day lots have to work but if you are away from the workplace then a nice bit of relaxation could be on the cards, here a gadget for an unusual Bluetooth Headset among other things and a cool pillow for those who suffer from a hot head.
Bluetooth Mobile Phone Mate This looks like a stylus and indeed is one, it could also be mistaken for a pen it can hang round your neck but now its real purpose it's a Bluetooth headset there is a perfectly usable earpiece and microphone that can be connected to it and this will work with the rather fussy new iPhone. So providing your phone has Bluetooth V2 you with this gadget now have a hands free phone.
This is a rather neat looking AIO (all in one) unit. However being black I doubt it will pass the lounge police. However for those making their own decisions only two things matter, quality and speed.
The Epson Stylus SX200 is 44x34x17cm when no paper is inserted and the output tray is collapsed. Insert A4 in the rear and the last figure increases by 15cm and fully extend the paper output tray and the depth increases by 18cm. This is a four ink four cartridge offering and although lots of units print somewhat faster the quality is excellent.
What is it with fast car references, Acer have their Ferrari high end offerings and ASUS have this Lamborghini offering, the Acer starts up with the sound of car moving past while this starts with a very throaty Lamborghini revving up.
Asus Lamborghini VX3 laptop computer measures 29.5x22.5x3cm and quality really shines through, it has a fingerprint reader and the area either side and around the touchpad is leather. The screen is 26x16.5cm giving the notional 12.1inch diagonal measurement. It runs natively at 1280x800 and is very clear and easy to read.

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Phones
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18 Aug 2008
This is MP3/phone as the face when closed has controls designed especially for working with music files. A recent survey said those under the mid twenties never tend to listen to more than thirty seconds of any track; this phone would be idea for them.
It is 10.5x4x1cm, flip it open and add 4cm to the length, it weights 72grams. It should fit in the palm of all but the smallest hand. The screen is 3x3.8cm, the whole colour scheme is matt black with and orange band, orange W for Walkman at the base and three interlinking circles on the area below the screen with the centre on in orange. The top of the phone has a hold slider, the left side the Walkman button and the proprietary connector for charging, transfer and earbuds.

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Misc
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17 Aug 2008
Here I am looking at what is described as a 3.5inch HDD enclosure but it offers a lot more than that, and then, what is described as the Worlds Smallest 2.4GHZ Wireless mouse.
. There are also two USB2 ports. The sides and base are bare with the back having an on/off switch, power input, USB socket and an ESATA socket.
3.5inch HDD Enclosure While the likely main use of this product will be to transfer data from a SATA hard drive (both 2.5 and 3.5inch accepted) to other media it can also be used as a station to transfer data from all sorts of other connected devices. It is 12.
I notice that there are five models in this range and on reading the specifications the differences seem very much the same see the last link- luckily I was sent the entry level version.
The Toshiba Port g M700-110 is a 12.1 inch notebook with an XGA display 1280x800. It is also a Tablet PC however I was quiet surprised to see it is supplied with Vista Business and not Vista Ultimate. When the screen is open you can see in the centre of the back of the body an arrow telling you which way to twist the screen, likewise when lifted up the arrow tells you which way to return it to closed to save any possible damage to the screen.

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Phones
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13 Aug 2008
This is a high quality DECT phone that works either singly or with extensions and unlike some other DECT phones works over good distances. Just for good measure it comes complete with an internal answering machine.
It is described as piano black and the phone itself is about the size of a larger mobile phone at 14.5x5x2.5cm maximum dimensions. It comes with a clip so that it can be fitted to a belt. A lot of DECT phones are stated to work at a certain distance but often this tends to mean in the middle of a field.
The first some speakers that can work wired or Bluetooth these are from Parrot. The second a headset from Sony that looks unlike any normal headsets I know.
They are a pair of cone shaped speakers that need power but not necessarily any connection as they can operate by Bluetooth. However they can be connected conventionally. They are 15cm long, 13cm across and stand 16cm high. Each has it's own power supply and lead so they do not even need to be in the same room. The signal is transmitted from one to the other so if setup in a stereo configuration that is what you hear. Each speaker weights around 1100grams.
Here a Hot Stone Grill to cook on and while its cooking how about a game of Boules but whatever you do not play it on the patio or the prize lawn.
Giles & Posner Hot Stone Grill Sometimes cooking outdoors (near electric power) is nice, but the thought of cranking up the barbecue is just too much trouble, here is something that almost gives the same effect a Hot Stone Grill.

Published in
Phones
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8 Aug 2008
A somewhat different offering from LG, run your finger across the bottom part of the face and you can make your own music. This is a slim slider phone with a 3mega pixel camera with flash.
click image to enlarge the KF510 phone from LG is 10x5x1cm and weights a tad over 100grams. Push the slider up and the 10cm length is increased by 3cm and this reveals the 12 keys of the keypad. The right side has a metallic plug covering the input point charging, and proprietary earbuds and transfer cables. Also on this side is the on/off slider and combined camera/MP3 button.