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Here’s another review of the new iPod 5G, this time, a posi-negative one. The reviewer takes an interesting approach by partitioning the piece into the ( iPod’s) good, bad and ugly features, and making note of the iPod’s advantages and disadvantages vis-a-vis its competitors.

The author praises the large new screen and thinks the video function is ok. While he likes the new iPod in general, he deems it to be merely a “simple audio player” … he would have been happier had the unit offered EQ and support for more audio formats.

A look at the new iPod (g5) – dapreview.com November 07 (2005)

Posted in Music Players ~ No Comments

The new Eminent Technology Model 17 is a speaker disguised as a fan. The main feature of this new speaker, … uh, device … is that it delivers a surprisingly low frequency response of 1Hz to 30Hz (+/- 4dB ). As most subwoofers operate at about 20Hz and up, one supposes that the Model 17 may well be pioneering a new category: the “sub-subwoofer”.

The product claims suggest that the Model 17 is the only device or speaker capable of reproducing the sound of a helicopter rotor, or the low frequencies contained in an explosion.

Eminent Technology Model 17

Posted in Music Players ~ 2 Comments

Eight-year-olds-and-up might well enjoy the parlor game of Twenty Questions, ported to a hand-held device. Game-maker Radica has a portable version of the game, which is generally believed to promote deductive reasoning. In the unlikely event that you can’t afford the 20Q game device, you can always play the online version for free.

Radica website

Posted in Kids ~ No Comments

Uncle Mark, a.k.a. Mark Hurst of Good Experience reknown, has updated his Gift Guide and Almanac for 2006. As a self-professed technology expert, utilitarian and borderline minimalist, Mark’s main schtick is to eschew product complexity. The Gift Catalog is intended to offer up the “best decisions for technology purchases”, from the above perspective.

In the category of digital cameras, Uncle Mark recommends the Canon PowerShot SD20, or Digital Elph as its sometimes called. Now, the SD20 was launched more than a year ago, and so is quite ancient in the fast-changing consumer electronics sector. In Mark’s view, the best features of the SD20 are its small size (90×47x19 mm and 100 grams), the good battery life (120 images per charge) and the low cost ($399). The author swims against consumer sentiment by praising the lack of any optical zoom on this device as a good thing, that improves battery life.

The best personal computer is (of course) the Apple Macintosh. The main virtues of Macs are ease of use and better security against viruses. The author specifically touts the iBook G4 for its performance and portability.

For Cell phones, go with a Treo 650, or (curiously) an old Nokia. His Nokia comment is justified with the words: “[.. Nokia has .. ]consistently made the easiest-to use cell phones”.

Mark goes on offer his advice on 12 more product categories, and even throws in some tips on running effective meetings. Hint: start and end each meeting on time.

Uncle Mark 2006 Gift Guide & Almanac - Mark Hurst, October 2005

Posted in General ~ No Comments

Samsung ups the ante with its new eight megapixel cameraphone, called the SPH-V8200. Samsung president Lee Ki-tae unveiled the device today at a news conference in Seoul, Korea. Not many other details available, except that it has 9 minus 1 megapixels.

8-Megapixel Camera Phone Unveiled - Korea Times, 11-03-2005

Posted in Phones ~ No Comments

Trusted Reviews has just reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix S9500. This must be quite a camera, as they rate it a perfect 10 out of 10. [ ... aww c'mon now, nothing's perfect ... ] The S9500 is a fixed-lens SLR digital camera with a 10.7x optical and a focal length equivalent to 28-300mm. It has a 1/1.6in CCD HR (high-rez) sensor and takes stills at an effective 9.0 megapixels and vga video at 30 fps. TR especially liked the camera’s handling, performance, “amazing” picture quality and the versatility. Fujifilm FinePix S9500 - Trusted Reviews, 01 Nov 2005

Posted in Cameras ~ No Comments