Gadgets Blog » iPods

iPod Nano Watch Breaks Kickstart.com Funding Record

brock — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:07:18 +0000

It’s tough to be an entrepreneur these days with costs being so high in the global marketplace. From this problem, sites such as Kickstarter.com were developed that allowed people to donate to projects they felt worthy of funding.

You may only get $10 or $20 per person, but thousands of people donate, and people have received thousands of dollars for their projects, from inventions to movies. Recently, someone’s idea to create an iPod Nano watch earned $600,000 in 20 hours, which shattered records for Kickstarter.com.

The idea came from a former Nike creative director who had experience in developing watches for the mega shoe corporation. He got the idea when Steve Jobs commented that the new Nano was so small that it can easily be worn, so the iPod Nano watch was born.

The watch doesn’t actually come equipped with a Nano; instead, it’s a wristband that people can attach their Nano to when they go out. He developed two types. One allows people to take the Nano in and out at their leisure, and the second becomes a permanent dock for the Nano.

The project had more than 9,000 people that donated at least $25. The developer plans on processing the orders and then using the money to create a broader marketing and communications campaign. It can’t hurt that news outlets are picking up on this story for its record-breaking feat. It definitely gives the project even more free publicity.

Kickstarter.com has thousands of projects that people can fund depending on their particular interests. For many entrepreneurs, the Web site acts as a gauge of public interest in a product. If people are donating and commenting on your project, then it’s a good bet that it will meet with some success in the marketplace.

If not, well, better luck next time. People are always looking for new ways to do everyday tasks, so while one project may fail miserably, another can be a big success. While I have never donated to a project on the Web site, I do feel that sites like this are important. In a world where your credit score counts more than your ideas, alternative funding is important to consider.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/pmtorrone/4973898937

Gadget of the Week: Apple Macbook Pro Laptop

Dan Evans — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:51:35 +0000

It’s perhaps the greatest battle of them all: Mac vs. PC. With so many people weighing in on each side, I hardly doubt my opinion will change anyone’s mind, but this week’s Gadget of the Week allows me to give my own personal testimonial, demonstrating both the positives and negatives of a PC-to-Mac transfer. This week, we’ll take a closer look at the Macbook Pro, one of the most prevalent gadgets in the world of electronics, and hopefully you’ll come to understand whether or not it’s for you.

As a dedicated PC user, it took a while to get used to the Mac interface, so let me first describe the experience that Snow Leopard offers the user. Instead of a start menu, arranged in the lower right like with all Windows machines, the Mac operates out of the “dock” system, which provides a toolbar at the base of the computer screen. Built-into this toolbar are a host of Mac programs, including heavily used programs like iTunes to the relatively less involved Time Machine. The Mac pre-installed programs offer a host of features intended to give you an intuitive user experience. Some, however, are better than others. It took a downloadable update to prevent iTunes from having brief skips during song playback, and the arrangement of photos in iPhoto doesn’t translate into an intuitive filing system for other use, but the features that come on such programs will be exciting and fun to play around with.

Seeing as I used my PC version of Microsoft Office quite heavily, I decided to see how the Mac version of these Microsoft programs translated into a PC-dominated computer world. The results took some getting used to, but for the most part, both versions of Office are workable and the files can easily be shared, so long as you remember to save in the correct format. The major annoyance comes in the lack of similar toolbar structure between versions. While editing a cell in Excel for the Mac, for example, the formula does not appear at the top of the screen, making it sometimes difficult to know exactly what edits are being made to the numbers. While this takes some getting used to, the program functions much the same, although some features in the PC version, such as statistical analysis, are not available in their Mac counterparts.

There are some great benefits to switching over, however. The battery life in a normal charging of the Mac far exceeds my PC counterpart. Whereas I often felt that my PC laptop was bound to my desk, my Macbook Pro is capable of following me for a shift at work followed by a trip to class, all in one charge. This creates for an addicting relationship between my computer and myself, a relationship that expands to other parts of the device. The intuitive mouse pad on the Macbook Pro makes it all-but-impossible to switch back to a normal PC mouse system, making for great usage of the control scheme.

This, I should say, is the primary difference that I have experienced. Much as the iPod changed the way I listened to music, the Macbook Pro has changed the way I use a laptop computer. There is, dare i say it, an emotional connection between myself and the computer. The ease with which I switch between programs, working on everything from e-mails to accounting homework simultaneously, makes the Macbook Pro a remarkable upgrade in terms of computing. While the steep price tag (the 15″ unit I used runs about $1800) can be hard to justify at first, once the learning curve and transition is complete, it makes for a remarkably engaging unit. In the long run, it will be the computer’s longevity that makes for the final say, as a Mac laptop runs far more expensive than a PC counterpart.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/lifeisaprayer/3346288138

Apple Tablet: a Bright Future for Tablet Computers?

Dan Evans — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:00:27 +0000

I’ll confess that I recently converted from the world of PCs. Perhaps I was drawn in by the shiny aluminum bodies the new MacBook computer possesses, or perhaps it was due to chronic frustration caused by Windows Vista on my old HP laptop. Regardless, I’ve been immensely satisfied with my MacBook Pro, although a few things do still bother me about the Apple brand as a whole.

Apple users, the sort with iPhone, iPod, MacBook, and additional Apple paraphernalia, can be bothersome to me at times. While yes, Apple makes some great electronics, the level of devotion to the brand can be a bit absurd. Nonetheless, Apple promises to give people something new to get excited over, as they announced a January 27 event to roll out their newest foray into the electronics market.

Inviting people to “Come see our latest creation,” the company has (wisely) left the exact content of the unveiling up in the air, leaving many people to speculate on what it will be. In all likelihood, the product will be Apple’s much-speculated upon tablet, as sources have told the Wall Street Journal that the new product is intended to ship in March. That makes it fairly certain that Apple will be showing it off starting on the 27th, unless they have something truly remarkable up their sleeves, which would be exciting in its own right.

With such an important company preparing to launch a tablet based computer, a look at what exactly such a unit would entail can give us a bit of a sneak preview of such a hypothetical Apple Tablet. First and foremost, the tablet would operated with touch screen type interface. The iPod Touch has been a tremendous success for the company, and its possible that this tablet would feature at least a portion of its menu arrangements in a similar style to the Touch and its cousin, the iPhone. The idea of a computer that is operated without a mouse is exciting, and the fact that this technology is now being adapted to larger units means some great new technology is in the future.

There are some questions that need to be asked about the tablet, however. First of all, price is a huge concern. Before its untimely demise, the CrunchPad was rumored to go on sale for around $400. The Apple Tablet has been speculated as high as $1000, which in some ways is unsurprising, given that this is an Apple product. The unit would likely have the same great wireless capability as Apple laptops, making connecting to and surfing the Internet a breeze.

However, what sort of operating system can we expect with the unit? Will it run Snow Leopard, or a more application based operating system similar to the iPhone? These types of specifications will likely be answered when the gadget is unveiled, but issues over what types of programs will be able to run on the computer will be a concern for most users.

The main question I have for the future of tablet computers is where they fit into the computing world as a whole. Will a tablet be able to have all the functionality of a normal laptop? This seems very unlikely, and let alone the fact that for effective word processing, an external keyboard would likely be needed. If the primary capabilities of the unit are Internet use, then why pay so much money for such a gadget? The flexibility the unit will have, as well as the fragility of the tablet design, is concerning for such an item. Nonetheless, it will be exciting to see Apple’s product when they (hopefully) unveil it. I’m just not sure if its something I’ll be adding to my wish list anytime soon.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/ndevil/3817840411

Special Sales and Clearances: LCD Televisions

colleen — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:28:08 +0000

Smarter.com’s comparison shopping tool is here to help you save money on purchases big and small. It’s after Christmas savings time, I know you’re resting up from the holidays but maybe you were thinking about late-gifting a family member or friend, or you just want to celebrate the end of the holidays and treat yourself to a little something extra. The old broken down television is the corner is looking a little sad, maybe it’s time for a facelift.

Before scouring the Internet for hours looking for the best prices on quality items, you have to come to Smarter.com to see the savings you could be overlooking! Smarter.com is here to help, this week, on such exciting gadgets at binoculars, game consoles, and LCD televisions. Let’s take a look at some of the top LCD television screens on the market, and the after-Christmas savings you could be making–so act now! A lot of these savings are only going to last until the New Year at best!

Panasonic TC-L37S1 37-inch VIERA 1080p LCD HDTV: $5.89

Panasonic VIERA 26″ with iPod Dock from Dell.com: $299.00, on sale from $499.00

Find more deals on LCD televisions at Smarter.com.

Create Your Own Green Power by Biking!

gadgets — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:16:03 +0000

Dahon, which specializes in really cool folding bikes has come up with BioLogic ReeCharge, a personal power charging system . The device can be attached to the front of your bike via a wrap around weather proof silicon case and charges iPhones, iPods, GPS units, or just about any small electronic device, through a USB port. When you start putting your bike to work, the system generates energy from your movement. How about that? We are not only working our bodies, we are being energy efficient. According to Dahon, the Reecharge is able to recharge an iPhone in under 3 hours.

For those of us who cannot live without the whole enchilada of electronic gadgets that we have accumulated, it can be real space saver while travel as Reecharge would take care of all your charging needs . When you are not perched on a bike, you can plug the ReeCharge device into a wall adaptor or USB computer connection. So you can omit carrying separate chargers for your iPod, camera, iPhone etc with their tangle of unsightly cords and squeeze in some extra shoes instead! ReeCharge includes a retractable USB cable with five interchangeable tips for Sony-Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, LG and Mini USB devices. The energy supply is steady, so your devices are protected from the varied electrical output common to many generator hubs on the market.The BioLogic ReeCharge will come pre-installed on two Dahon bikes, the Ios* XL and Speed TR. It will be available worldwide in March 2010 at a suggested retail price of €79 and US$99.

For a list of Dahon retailers near you and to order one of their bikes or bike accessories, visit dahon.com.

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Source: dahon.com

iPod Car Adapters: Music for the Road

colleen — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:09:14 +0000

To grandmothers house…to great-grandfather’s nursing home we go….to sister-in-laws house we (begrudgingly) go…

Whatever song you sing on this road this holiday season, make sure the soundtrack is exactly your speed and style, no matter what the family has in store. It just takes a little preparation–maybe a CD for the road, but that gets old. You need an iPod dock, perfect for interchange between the cousin’s strikingly opposite music tastes. You need an iPod car adapter that’s compatible with all makes and versions of iPod, but is also compatible with your car. Don’t have a tape deck? Don’t get the tape deck adapter. Don’t have a cigarette lighter? Well, need I say what type of adapter you shouldn’t get?

Here are some options for iPod car adapters on the market, at the best prices:

CTA ICharge Car Charger For iPod : $7.08

Cassette Adapter: $11.47

Shop for more iPod car adapters at Smarter.com.

Computer Buzz: Laptop Skins

colleen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:26:59 +0000

“Schtickers”, the company that does designer and corporate labels, now designs laptop skins, iPod and iPhone skins, and many more skins for electronics. You can either design your own for a bit of a premium price, or buy their pre-designed skins for your laptop. Specify your size, and here you go-a laptop that says more about you than what’s on the hard drive.

Top laptop skins from Schtickers.com:

Urban Laptop Skin from Schtickers.com: $19.99

DJ Turntable Laptop Lime from Schtickers.com: $19.99

Shop more discount laptop skins at Smarter.com.

Affordable iPod Adapters for Car

colleen — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:23:15 +0000

Radio just isn’t like it used to be, so what do you do when you have long car rides or commutes to work ahead of you? Don’t backtrack with burning CDs, it’s not vintage enough to be cool just yet (like tape decks have started to be, ironically). Look into buying an iPod adaptor for the car; you can charge your iPod and get some funky, personalized tunes to amp up your long morning, afternoon, or late night drives. You can personalize your iPod playlist to any commute if you like (though you know that already). Let’s check out the recent gadgets that help you have the most entertaining commute you can have:

Belkin Dual USB Car Charger for iPod (Black): $16

Pretty cheap, this charger keeps your iPod running but doesn’t necessarily get you hooked into your car’s speaker system; it just keeps your iPod juiced while you listen to it from the local speakers.

Kensington Car Charger Deluxe for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G : $34.02

This is the design I have; it fits iPods and iPhones and taps into an unused radio station to broadcast your music through your car’s speakers. Awesome!

Kensington Power Port Car Mount for iPhone and iPod: $22.95

A little less sturdy of a model, this power port still gets the job done.

Shop for more iPod adapters for your car at Smarter.com.

Archos 5 Arrives, Time to End Our Love Affair with the iPod?

gadgets — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:25:24 +0000

Archos has released Archos 5 , a well stacked media player and internet tablet that has all the looks of a worthy opponent to the iPod touch . I know most of you are probably yawning by now. Yet another inane imitation that is sure to bite the dust, you say… Let’s play fair and see what’s on the table shall we?

Archos 5 comes with a powerful wi-fi for super fast web browsing allowing for full width, PC like viewing without shrinking or need for zooming . It runs on the open source android platform which is awesome for apps developers .Moreover, the Flash 9 supporting device not only enables you to watch videos on sites like YouTube but also is the only Android device that supports video formats in High Definition. So expect things to get really creative and very apps rich a la ipod pretty soon.

The Archos 5 will come already preloaded with several Android apps, like the eBuddy instant-messaging app, Twidroid for sending and receiving tweets, Craigsphone for posting or accessing classified ads, Thinksfree for viewing Microsoft Office files, Quickpedia, and many more. You can always download more apps from the Android Market or from Archos’s own AppsLib store.

The full email application lets you read, write, download, send attachments, and manage your contacts. You can also access content seamlessly from a variety of on-the-go , on demand services such as CinemaNow, Hulu , integrated Internet radio, music from sites like Pandora and Web TV widgets. You can schedule TV recordings from any channel on your cable or set-top box and watch it at a time and place of your choice. Then if you so choose, play back the digital content from ARCHOS 5 to your TV, all in HD quality, at 720p.

It comes with a Bluetooth, through which you can access the 3G connection of your mobile phone.

There are also some interesting accessories that you will be able to purchase on the side such as DVR station to record video or integrated GPS with TeleAtlas application. The TeleAtlas software provides all the usual GPS features plus an additional 3D Photo Realistic mode which is pretty neat. In the 3D mode the maps use multiple angles and zoom levels to portray the landmarks and streets as realistically as possible.

The slim, light weight model that ships with a DVR station adapter and a standard USB cable is available at 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities (with a MicroSD card slot) and a hard drive version with a choice of 160GB or 500GB.

Pricing is about $249.99 at the entry point. You can order from Amazon or the Archos website. Make sure though that you are ordering the latest model as quite confusingly the earlier model still on sale in different outlets is also called Archos5.

ABC News: 10 Great Back to School Gadgets

evette — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:14:10 +0000

For those of you who don’t have to go back to school until the middle of September, check out ABCNews.com’s list of “10 Great Gadgets for Any Student“. You can find most of these on Smarter.com for great prices:

1. MacBook Pro 13″: $1,199

It’s a great size with plenty of memory. Apple will even give you a free 8GB iPod Touch with purchase.

2. Acer Aspire 4810 Timeline 8480: $699.99

Comes with 4GBs of memory (320GB hard drive) for awesome performance.

3. Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 2009: $57.99

Make sure your computer can perform at it’s best. Block spyware, block image spam prevent unauthorized input of personal information and much more.

4. Logitech Z520 Speaker System: $120.99

Watch school presentations and educational videos with the 360-degree sound.

5. Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000:

This cool wireless mouse comes in a variety of colors. The last thing you need is another code to clutter your desk area.

6. Belkin CushDesk: $23.99

Work on homework and school projects while sitting on comfortably on your couch.

7. FreeAgent Go Dock: $14.94

Another gadget that helps with code clutter! Take this dock anywhere for easy access to your files.

8. Griffin Technology’s Cases for the iPhone and iPod Touch: $20.05

This case will protect your precious Pod from all the elements while biking to school or training with the team.

9. iMM153 Dual Alarm Clock With Bed Shaker for iPod: $42.18

Yes, this shakes your bed. It’s perfect for you kids who need a little extra help getting up in the morning.

10. JBL/Roxy Reference 420 Over-the-Ear Headphones: $69.95

These cool colored headphones are comfy and easy to store.