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

The couch potato’s ultimate remote

It was a weekend of TV programming for me - setting up a new Logitech One Advanced Universal Remote that now controls every gizmo I have hooked to my new flatscreen TV and thus making the half dozen other remotes I had cluttering up the family room instantly obsolete.

Like a lot of consumers, I’ve been gearing up for the coming digital transition in February. Because I cover tech, I convinced my wife we needed a new TV. So, from Costco, I carted off a 46 inch Samsung HDTV. There are so many new technologies surrounding this advance in TV that, well, how could I expect to stay on top of it if I was sill using an old analog set?

Whatever, the argument worked for me. I got the new TV. Good luck on finding your own excuse.

But I also picked up the new remote and it’s power and versatility has been a pleasing surprise, albeit an expensive one: $199 from Amazon online, $249 from the local Best Buy.

But universal is indeed an accurate description of what it does. It truly replaces all those other controllers, from the Comcast cable remote, to my DVD remote, to the VCR remote and even allowing me to hook up my my computer or access my home wireless network and display pictures and videos from the hard drive of my laptop or desktop on the new TV. Read more

Very cool label maker

We all need a label maker. And I have one that is not only easy and fast, but it’s actually fun to use. It’s the Personal Label Maker LetraTag Plus LT-100H.
The LetraTag hand-held label maker makes labeling a breeze. It prints label horizontally or vertically, and adds emphasis with bold, italic, underline, symbol, boxes and more.
The LetraTag features a large LCD display and print preview. Easy to hold, handle and load, it prints up to two lines on 1/2″ wide paper, plastic, metallic, magnetic and Iron on LetraTag tapes.
Here’s the key Features & Benefits:
• Graphical display lets you see font effects on screen before you print
• Easy-to-use navigation buttons
• Prints on LetraTag LT labels available in paper, plastic, metallic, magnetic and iron-on.
• Magnetic backed holder
• Auto-off power saver
• ABC keyboard design
It prints on magnetic labels, cloth labels (for afixing to clothing, for example) and makes it very easy to stay organized.
But perhaps the best thing is that the Personal Label Maker LetraTag Plus LT-100H is really affordable - just $29.

New slot music cards and players shipping

Those new slotMusic cards that come preloaded with DRM-free MP3 music are now shipping, along with a new plug and play music player with a port that allows the cards to be directly inserted.

The cards and the new player - called the Sansa slotMusic Player - come from SanDisk and will be sold at big box retailers like WalMart and Best Buy. Sansa has made the player very affordable, at just $19.95.

An artist-branded player is also available for $34.99 that comes preloaded with a card and player labeling bearing the artists name and image.

The slotMusic cards have a capacity of 1GB - the equivalent of one full length album, along with liner notes, album art and sometimes videos. Individual cards sell for $14.99, about the price of a traditional CD.

With today’s retail launch, SanDisk says some 40 different artists are available from EMI Music, SONY BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music.

Because the cards are on a standard microSD card, they can also be popped into mobile phones or a personal computer.

The all-in-one HP Photosmart C6380 printer

The new HP Photosmart C6380 has set a new standard in price, convenience and quality.

It lists for $246 but can be found online for as little as $159, making it one of the best priced all-in-one copier, photo printer, scanner and printer I’ve yet to try. It prints 4 x 6 photos in lab quality in as little as 18 seconds and for spits out crisp near laser-like quality black print at up to 33 pages a minute in draft mode. Color mode is almost as fast, at 31 ppm.

But what has won me is the ease by which it can be wirelessly networked to a home Wi-Fi system. I hooked it up yesterday and, by simply loading the software, had two desktops and two notebook computers connected to it in no time. I can print from any computer anywhere in my house or even on the back deck, using my Wi-Fi network.

The printer, on a desk in my home office, takes up a small footprint and has just one wire coming but the back - the AC cord.

The ability to easily share it among all the computers in my house - Windows and Macs - is a huge plus for me.

Like other recent HP models, it uses HP’s proprietary Vivera ink, which dries quickly, is virtually smudge-proof and delivers very realistic photo colors. HP claims its Vivera ink reduces print head clogging because it is exceptionally pure. And it touts that purity, along with special “protectants” mixed in, for helping photos, documents and graphics resist fading “for decades.”

I sample printed e-mail, a couple of Word documents and several 4 x 6 photos from all of my computers and it performed flawlessly. The 4 x 6 photos were of better quality than an older model Canon mini260 standalone printer I’ve been using for the past couple of years.

You can also print directly from memory cards or your camera. On the front of the printer are a series of slots for all of the major storage media used by digital cameras - Memory Stick, Multimedia Cards (MMC) Secure Digital (SD) SD Mini and CompactFlash (CF). There’s also a USB port for digital cameras that use the PictBridge feature.

The printer even has its own red-eye reduction button.

The printer comes with the five individual ink cartridges, which HP says last about 300 pages each. New cartridges cost $9.99. Since some of the colored inks last longer than the black, HP bundles a little widget that displays on your computer menu bar you how much life you have in the various inks.

But, if you need five of them, that’s $50.

It’s selling replacement ink, of course. This is how printer manufacturers make their real money. But from what I’ve seen so far with the HP Photosmart C6380, I’m thinking the quality of the printer will lessen the sting of the ink replacement.

Laptop Desk Stand makes working from home comfortable

Tired of using your laptop on your… well, lap? We have a great solution for you. See, the laptop computer is such a blessing because it lets people use the same computer to work from home or when on the go. But at home where you may not have a desk, it can be cumbersome.

There has to be a better way to use your laptop than sitting it on the coffee table, or having to sit at the kitchen table.

Luckily there is the Adjustable and Ergonomic Laptop Stand is something we’ve found that is perfect for the home or office. It comes with some really convenient features.

The laptop desk stand is fully adjustable with working distances between 30-37 inches high. There is a convenient side panel that is perfect for the mouse or notes. The laptop stand is made to fit all laptop sizes, it is easy to assemble, and it has four legs with wheels for extra stability.

The laptop desk is really comfortable. Most people use their laptops at home in positions that are very bad for the back and posture. When you use the laptop desk stand, you can pull it right up to any chair or even the sofa. You will find it far better than using your laptop on your lap, coffee table, or tv dinner stand.

The ergonomic design of the laptop desk stand allows you to work comfortably for hours and the size and weight make it easy to move from room to room if needed. If spend a lot of time on your laptop at home or the office than the laptop desk stand is right for you.

It lists for about $150 but we got it here for $79. Best accessory I’ve yet to find for my laptop.

Here’s a YouTube video of it in action.

Canon 21MP EOS Mark II offers High TV video, too

Holy Moly. What a camera. Canon has announced the full frame, 21.1 Megapixel EOS 5D Mark II: the first EOS with full High Definition video capability.

Here’s all the details from Canon’s press release: Compact, lightweight with environmental protection, EOS 5D successor boasts a newly designed Canon CMOS sensor, with ISO sensitivity up to 25,600 for shooting in near dark conditions. The new DIGIC 4 processor combines with the improved CMOS sensor to deliver medium format territory image quality at 3.9 frames per second, for up to 310 frames.

Triggered from Live View Mode, HD video capture allows users to shoot uninterrupted at full 1080 resolution at 30fps – for amazing quality footage with outstanding levels of detail and realism.

The integration of HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1 Megapixel camera opens a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers. With its full frame CMOS sensor and outstanding ISO performance, the EOS 5D Mark II will appeal to any photographer in search of the finest camera equipment available – from studio and wedding to nature and travel photographers.
Other improvements to the EOS 5D include

* Addition of Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, with a new Fluorine coating on the low-pass filter
* Larger 3.0” Clear View LCD with VGA resolution, a 170° angle of view and anti-reflective coatings
* Improved menu system including Quick Control Screen for more direct access to common settings
* Automatic peripheral illumination correction, utilising detailed EF lens information to optimise JPEG images straight out of the camera
* Magnesium alloy construction with additional environmental protection
* UDMA memory card compatibility.

“Professional photojournalists and wedding photographers already choose the EOS 5D for its discrete size and outstanding image quality,” said Mogens Jensen, head of Canon Consumer Imaging. “The addition of HD movie recording opens a new chapter for EOS. It creates new possibilities for EOS photographers to capture and share their stories and to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.”

Key Specifications:

* New 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with improved EOS Integrated Cleaning System (E.I.C.S.)
* New Full HD 1080 resolution movie recording
* 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
* High performance DIGIC 4 providing superb image quality
* Maximum 310 large JPEG images in a single burst with a UDMA card
* 3.0” VGA (920k dots) Clear View LCD
* ISO 100-6400 (expansion from 50 up to 25,600)
* 9 AF points + 6 Assist AF points

Additional information

New CMOS sensor
The EOS 5D Mark II’s newly designed full frame 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor features ISO sensitivity from 100-6400, expandable to 50, 12,800 and 25,600. Large 6.4µm2 pixels have been redesigned to capture more light and yield a better signal to noise ratio to ensure lower noise images throughout the ISO range. The full frame sensor has the same dimensions as a frame of 35mm film. This means that wide-angle lenses stay wide, without the change in angle of view associated with smaller sensor cameras. As well as benefiting from finer control over depth of field, photographers moving up to the EOS 5D Mark II’s full frame format will find the newly designed wide, bright 98% coverage viewfinder on a joy to work with.

New DIGIC 4 processor
A new DIGIC 4 processor combined with 14-bit analogue to digital conversion provides smooth gradations in mono-tonal areas such as skies, and highly accurate colour rendition. As well as HD movie shooting, DIGIC 4’s high speed provides for long uninterrupted continuous bursts of large JPEGs, near-instant start-up times and immediate and fast review after shooting. DIGIC 4 also provides for improved noise reduction algorithms, complementing the already low noise images from the EOS 5D Mark II’s CMOS sensor.

HD video capture
The EOS 5D Mark II is Canon’s first D-SLR to incorporate full HD 1920×1080 video capture. Once filming is started from Live View mode, photographers can fire off either single of continuous stills, with video capture continuing after the final frame is captured.

See everything
A new 3.0” VGA resolution LCD provides a wide 170º angle-of-view, providing plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. The screen brightness can automatically adjust to suit viewing conditions, extending battery life in low light and improving viewing in bright conditions. A new dedicated Live View button switches modes to display a real-time image on the LCD. This allows EOS 5D Mark II photographers to enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles. Simple connection to a PC provides easy remote shooting.

Precision focus and metering
A 9-point auto focus system is supported by 6 additional invisible Assist AF points, located inside the spot-metering circle to optimise subject tracking performance in AI SERVO AF mode. For accurate exposure readings in tricky lighting conditions, the spot metering circle covers just 3.5% of the frame.

Control
The EOS 5D Mark II’s redesigned menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode allows photographers to cede control of key settings to the camera, while retaining control over creative variables such background blur, drive mode and image brightness. Custom user settings allow photographers to switch between two completely different camera setups. This is ideal for changing quickly between two different environments, such as switching from working inside a church without flash to outdoors with fill-flash at a wedding.

Accessories
Shooting flexibility is enhanced with a range of new accessories. Shooting capacity can be extended with either the high capacity 1800mAh lithium-ion Battery Pack LP-E6, or Battery Grip BG-E6.

A new optional Wireless File Transmitter –
the WFT-E4 – offers external HDD and GPS compatibility along with ability to transmit images direct to computer or FTP server, or operate the camera wirelessly. Both the BG-E6 and WFT-E4 feature a vertical orientation shutter release and other key controls for comfortable portraiture work, with a substantial grip to help balance the camera when used with long lenses.

Griffin releases Window Seat for iPhone

WindowSeat mounts iPhone 3G, iPhone or iPod touch on a car’s windshield or dashboard at eye level. WindowSeat’s adjustable mounting bracket securely holds the device at any desired angle, ensuring quick and easy access to street maps, directions, controls and other content.

WindowSeat includes an audio cable for playing the device directly through the car stereo, and is designed to allow use with Griffin PowerJolt® auto charger or iTrip® Auto FM transmitter.

Info at www.griffintechnology.com

Zune offers new “buy from FM” feature

Starting next week, every Zune portable media player will let consumers wirelessly download or stream millions of songs on the go from thousands of wireless hot spots around the country.

Free, powerful software and firmware updates will give Zune owners the ability to discover, tag and purchase songs directly from the built-in FM radio, wirelessly access the Zune Marketplace store on the go, and tap into interactive, personalized music recommendations that add even more value to the Zune Pass subscription.

Zune is also expanding its device lineup with new 16GB and 120GB capacities as well as shiny new blue-on-silver and sleek all-black color schemes. The new features will begin rolling out on Sept. 16, 2008.

“Digital music services really come alive when they help people find not only the music they know they like, but the music they didn’t know they would love,” said Chris Stephenson, general manager of Global Marketing for Zune at Microsoft. “With the combination of subscription, wireless access to millions of tracks, and powerful discovery features like personal recommendations and the ability to buy music from FM radio, Zune is taking the digital music experience to the next level.”

Wireless Connections

More than 61 percent of people say they discover new music by listening to the radio.1 With that in mind, Zune is taking advantage of the wireless connection and the built-in FM tuner to deliver a new feature called Buy from FM, which lets customers tag and purchase songs they hear on FM radio stations2 directly from the Zune device. When the customer is in a Wi-Fi hot spot, the song can be immediately downloaded to the Zune device. If Wi-Fi is not available, the device will have a queue of songs ready to download when connected to a home computer or in a hot spot. Buy from FM uses Radio Data System and RT+ data feeds within the FM broadcast frequencies that identify song and artist data and enable the Zune service to identify and deliver the track to the customer.

“Microsoft’s decision to integrate an FM tuner into the Zune was revolutionary and they continue their extraordinary leadership with Buy From FM,” said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio. “We’ve always known that radio is the primary source for discovering new music, and Microsoft’s decision to marry music discovery and delivery does two things: enables consumers to instantly satisfy their passion and enables FM song tagging to be enjoyed by all radio listeners, everywhere.”

In addition, users can now access the Zune Marketplace music store directly from their device when they are in a recognized Wi-Fi hot spot, or through a home wireless network. To make it easy to discover music on the go, customers can browse lists of featured new releases and top songs and albums sorted by genre, or use the on-screen keypad to type in the song of their choice. Once they have picked a track or album, they can either download it or stream it directly to the Zune device.

Zune customers have a choice in how they acquire music: They can pay per track or choose a Zune Pass subscription. Zune Pass subscribers can download or stream music to the device or their computer interchangeably, all for a flat rate of $14.99 per month. So whether a device has 4 GB or 120 GB of storage, Zune Pass customers can access and stream millions of songs directly to their Zune.

More Ways to Discover Music: Channels and Picks

The new Zune software update taps expert sources, recommendations from the Zune service and online music community, and the user’s own play data to create a dynamic, digital music experience where discovering music is easy and seamless.

· Channels. Channels are an exciting new tool for music discovery. Customers can explore channels programmed by experts from the music industry such as the Billboard Top 100, The FADER magazine and KEXP radio, in addition to workout-themed channels tailored for high, medium and low impact, and top chart channels from all genres and subgenres. The powerful Zune software will even create custom channels for each user, based on favorite artists and genres. Channels are included with a monthly Zune Pass subscription and can be synced to the device for playback on the go. For non-Zune Pass subscribers, the Channels are available for a la carte purchase.
· Personal Picks. Now the Zune software learns what kind of music users like and makes personal recommendations. When users log onto Zune Marketplace, they’ll find a new area called Picks where the Zune recommendation algorithm will suggest artists, albums and tracks based on the music they have been listening to, as well as channels they might like and listeners like them in the Zune Social.
· The Zune Social online music community. Customers can connect with millions of like-minded fans and share music via the Zune Card, a real-time playlist of each user’s favorite and recently played tracks that can be accessed on the Web or within the Zune software, or synced to the Zune device. Zune Pass subscribers can play full tracks from Zune Cards synced to their device while on the go, and now the playlists will even automatically update with the most recently played tracks when Zune connects to a wireless hot spot. It’s like subscribing to a free feed of music from the sources people trust most — their friends.
Powerful Software

The Zune PC software is a free download at http://www.zune.net that provides rich discovery and media management capabilities to help consumers make the most of their existing music collections, in addition to providing access to the Zune Social and Zune Marketplace so they can add to it.

· Mixview. Customers can select an artist, album or Zune Card to activate a dynamic, visual mosaic of related music and listeners. With each click users can take the view in a new direction, creating a fun, graphical way to discover new music. Mixview works with users’ current collection of music, in addition to tracks and albums from across the Zune Marketplace.
· Now Playing. The improved Now Playing view is more interactive and cinematic. Users can sit back and enjoy the combination of great artist imagery, colorful effects, bio information and data from the Zune online music community, all combined in a full-screen view. They can also click to dive deeper into the music behind the picture, providing another great way to interact with their collection.
A new firmware update will also improve the experience on the Zune device. In addition to the new wireless functionality, Zune will bring new features customers have been asking for:

· Games on the go. Two free games, “Hexic” and “Texas Hold ’Em,” will keep users entertained on the go.
· Audiobooks. All Zune devices will feature support for audiobooks this fall from industry leaders in the digital distribution of audiobook content.
– Audible. Customers can visit audible.com to download and sync favorite books from the 50,000 titles available from over 600 publishers and content providers.
– OverDrive. They can download content from sites powered by overdrive.com, including 7,500 libraries’ Web sites worldwide. (http://search.overdrive.com)
Device Pricing Information Effective Sept. 16
120 GB: $249.99
80 GB: $229.993
16 GB: $199.00
8 GB: $149.99
4 GB: $129.993

Handy power strip finally offers enough room for everything

If you use computers, there’s never enough power outlets. Printers, modems, monitors, chargers and the like soon fill all the outlets. Those old fashioned strip outlets are filled with weirdly-shaped chargers and the space under our desks looks like a rat’s nest.

That’s why I really love the PowerSquid Surge 300 Calamari, a surge protector that not only neatens everything up but also has adequate space for even the clunkiest charger brick.

As you can see, it kind of looks like a squid. But there are so many nifty features built into this that, for $69, it’s the best I’ve found.

It offers two blue neon glowing outlets to ensure you can always find a plug under a dark desk.

A 360-degree swivelling flat profile plug enables you to easily plug into a wall outlet hidden behind a desk or book case without rearranging the furniture.

Additional connectivity is provided to protect your cable and DSL lines. Powerful 58dB PureStream™ filters and an audible alarm housed in a luminous white body with a blue shield ensure that your gear is always protected.

Now there’s a 32GB memory card

Kingston Technology Company, Inc.,is now shipping a 32GB Elite Pro SDHC Flash memory card for use with today’s digital video camcorders and other high-resolution imaging devices. The new 32GB card is the largest capacity in Kingston’s Elite Pro line of SDHC cards, which currently includes 4-, 8- and 16GB capacities.

“With the growing popularity of digital video and the HD format, consumers continue to look for ways to extend recording times and maintain fast data transfer rates (DTR) to maximize the performance of their recording device,” said Wendy Lecot, Flash business manager, Kingston“Our new 32GB Elite Pro SDHC memory card is optimized to meet the demands of high capacity and fast write speeds to help consumers share their lives through the use of video, photography and other creative devices. With the addition of the 32GB capacity card, Kingston is at the forefront of offering a versatile line of SDHC solutions to solve a variety of needs in today’s digital imaging world.”

Kingston’s 32GB memory card is perfect for the increasing number of high resolution recording devices in the market, as the card can store literally thousands of photos and hours of high definition video. For example, the new 32GB Elite Pro SDHC card can capture more than 6,000 still images (with a 10MP camera) and over eight hours of video (for 6Mbps HD Extended recording)*.

The 32GB SDHC card (Kingston part #: SD4/32GB) has a suggested price of $308.00 (MSRP U.S.). Amazon sells it for $183. Kingston’s line of SDHC memory cards are backed by a lifetime warranty and 24/7 live technical support.

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