Cool tool to copy music from one iPod to another iPod

One of the greatest frustrations among friends and those in multi-iPod families is getting music from one iPod to another. Or ripping a DVD from your movie collection to your iPod. Truth is, it’s relatively easy with a new product that streamlines the process. Read more

Flip mino camcorder is perfect carry-along

The brand-new Flip mino camcorder from Pure Digital is my favorite, must-have-with-me camcorder.

I’ve tried every one of these units since they first came out three years ago and each version is better, smaller and more useful than the previous one. There’s now even one that does HD.

One of the latest versions, dubbed the mino for its diminutive size, came out just recently. On its first day, it was the top-selling camcorder on Amazon. That’s how popular these little gizmos have become and how loyal a user base they’ve garnered.

I did a very quick self-shot video with the new mino, showing some of its features. Here it is:

In size, the mino is smaller, lighter (3.3 ounces) and thinner than the previous Flip model, about as thick and tall as an iPhone but a bit narrower. The 1.5-inch color screen is a tad smaller than earlier models, a necessary trade-off for the reduced size of the new package.

Another change: The USB connector flips up from the top, rather than the side as on previous models, making it easier to insert into a computer. And instead of replaceable batteries, the mino has rechargeable batteries that charge directly from the computer, like an iPod. It takes about four hours to completely charge.

The new unit has kept the Flip’s so-simple-your-don’t-need-to-read-the-instructions operational controls, this time replacing the tactile buttons of earlier units with touch- sensitive controls on the back that light up when it’s turned on.

The unit loads software directly into the PC or Mac. You don’t need to run a separate CD or DVD. And the mino works really well with the Mac, something the previous models didn’t do. In fact, when I plugged the mino into my iMac, I was pleasantly surprised to see it opened iPhoto and allowed me to directly import the videos into that application. From there, Mac users can then bring them them into Final Cut Express or Pro or iMovie, if they want to do fancy editing.

But the built-in Flip software is pretty good. You can edit start and end points directly from it, string a bunch of clips into a movie, send and post directly to YouTube, MySpace and AOL Video or send a Flip vid as an e-mail attachment.

The 2GB of flash memory holds an hour’s worth of flash video, recorded in as many clips as you want. It lists for $179, but can be found cheaper online

Video editing software makes your camcorder even more enjoyable

From the PCMike NBC-TV Report… With the holidays coming, a lot of people will be capturing a lot of special memories with their camcorders. Thanks to great advances in video editing software, it’s never been easy to make your digital memories, full fledged family movies, complete with special effects.

Here’s a quick overview on what software is available.

Video editing is all drop and drag. If you know how to use a word processor, you can video edit. You plug your camcorder into your computer, import your clips and compose your projects on a timeline. You can add text overlays, import still pictures, and then export to the Web or burn to a DVD.

There are scores of video editing packages out there and i have some suggestions for you. Read more

Music headphones can cause problems for those with heart devices

And you though it was the kusic that was making your heart beat faster. Experts are now sounding a warning about headphones and earbuds and portale music players that can cause problems with people who have certain electronic heart devices like a pacemaker or an implanted defibrillator.
In fact, the issue is so bad health officials are saying you should not keep your iPod earbuds in your shirt pocket or draped around your neck — even Read more

Blu-Ray prices coming down

The need for healthy holiday sales in a bear market, competitive pressure from movie download services, and media speculation about the future success of the Blu-ray format itself has resulted in falling Blu-ray player prices across a range of current and older models.

Tier 2 players and older models (6-9 months) are now widely available under $200. Amazon is offering a Samsung model bundled with four discs for that price. Holiday season prices may be in the $150-200 range. All of this runs counter to many of the industry’s original market forecasts and expectations.

“Blu-ray vendors and dealers are starting to realize that for Blu-ray to become the next DVD, they need to lower player prices in order to generate interest and build volumes,” comments ABI Research principal analyst Steve Wilson.

“They are also getting more competition than they expected from download alternatives such as Xbox 360 and the Roku Netflix player, TiVo and Amazon. However downloads provide an opportunity as well as a threat: both LG and Samsung have concluded agreements with Netflix that allow some of their players to download movies and TV shows straight from Netflix. Read more

Time for fall cleaning of your PC: Lose the junkware

From the PCMike NBC-TV Report…It’s autumn and time to get ready for winter. But don’t stop with the house and yard. Your computer also needs some attention. Just like we insulate our homes against the elements, so we need to insulate our computers against outside threats.

At the start of every season, you need get rid of the Adware and Spyware. All it takes is a few months for all sorts of needless software to sneak into your computer, gunk that is secretly installed by questionable websites to snoop on your privacy, deliver you unwanted ads and generally clog and clutter your computer. Read more

AT&T to buy Wayport hotspots

AT&T is buying one of the largest privately-held Wi-Fi networks, creating even more places for broadband fast connectivity. aIt’s announced plans to buy Wayport, Inc., a leading provider of managed Wi-Fi services in the United States, for approximately $275 million in cash.

The acquisition expands the AT&T Wi-Fi footprint to nearly 20,000 domestic hotspots, takes the company’s global Wi-Fi presence to more than 80,000 locations, and creates thousands of new ways for customers worldwide to stay in touch. Read more

Free protection offer for your PC

Microsoft has a pretty good free offer going with its new Windows Live OneCare protection package for the PC. You can try the whole package for three months at no cost. OneCare provides anti-virus and anti-spyware filtering and screening, online ID protection, a firewall, printer sharing and multi-PC management features.

If you want to try Windows Live OneCare free for 90 days just download the free trial.

CNN does interviews with full body hologram images

TV interviews will never be the same. Now they’re able to literally “beam” people into their newsrooms. Amazing where tech is going. Right out os science fiction movies. CNN goes Star Wars, debuts live holograms.

FCC OKs use of white spaces to deliver broadband

The Federal Communications Commission voted Tuesday to open up unused, unlicensed portions of the television airwaves known as "white spaces" to deliver wireless broadband service.
FCC OKs use of white spaces to deliver broadband - Yahoo! News.

Circuit City to close 155 stores

Electronics retailer Circuit City has become the latest industry name to scale back its operations.
The company announced is closing 155 stores throughout the country, representing about 20 per cent of its total retail operation.
Circuit City to close 155 stores - vnunet.com.

BlackBerry Bold is loaded

The new BlackBerry Bold from AT&T is now on saleat AT&T stores, and based on my weekend use with an early evaluation unit, I’m impressed. It’s a significant improvement over previous BlackBerry models and a very attractive alternative to the iPhone.

My only suggestion is that before buying the Bold, you may want to wait a few weeks to compare it to the BlackBerry Storm, a touchscreen model coming from Verizon Wireless. It’s expected to be pretty slick, too.

The Bold, though, is one smartphone that truly lives up to the hype.

I’m hardpressed to find a feature it lacks. It works Read more

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