Lots of folks are waiting to hear from Apple about the latest and greatest iPod’s and iPhone’s. So far a new ipod Nano and new touch screen design for the iPods, including WiFi have been announced. Get real time news from CrunchGear.

pic via crunchgear

With all the talk about the iPhone and everyone chomping at the bit to get one. I wonder if it’s really worth the expense to get one, especially the first generation? For a couple of years now I’ve been looking for the perfect portable device that fits all my needs:

• I take a daily photo with my Casio EX-240 and post it over on my personal site (www.facesofme.com). So I need a device that I can take a decent hi-res photo (2-3 megapixels) with an removable memory card.
• I listen to music all day long, whether it’s at my computer or with my iPod while I’m on the move. So, it would be nice to have a device that could at least old a few hundred songs and makes it easy to sync with my computer.
• I need a phone. I don’t have a land line phone so I depend on my cell phone for phone communication. I usually don’t go over 600 minutes month.
• The device needs to be small enough to fit in my front pocket, comfortably. And, be tough enough to handle regular daily abuse.
• Currently, I don’t check the web on my phone, nor do I use it for email. However, I would like to, especially to look up info on the fly and keep up with important email.
• Ok, so this is the biggie that keeps me looking around. If I had a phone that met all of the above needs, which there are several of them out there. I would need it to have a battery life that equals that of my current iPod or camera. I’d be satisfied with 8-10 hours.
• The last thing is that I need to feel like I’m not getting rapped by my mobile carrier. The perfect plan would be some sort of ala carte that allows me to pick services and hours based on my needs. I currently spend a little more than $45 per month with Sprint and am happy with the price (service is another thing).

So, looking at the iPhone in comparison to what I’m looking for, it doesn’t look to bad. I think there are only two downsides to the iPhone that I can find:

1. The cost, it’s damn expensive, 4GB ($499) or 8GB ($599) and the service plans are more expense than normal.
2. It looks as if apple is trying to force you to use iTune for music and movies. I don’t use iTunes now and don’t plan on starting anytime soon. I want the flexibility to either, manually move media to the phone or sync other software (Winamp or Songbird for example). Unless I’m mistaken, the iPhone is restricting this.

Conclusion- I think when the iPhone hits the stores next week, there will be a mad scramble for the Apple Fan kids to get the phone. There will be a supply issue and I’m sure some will be sold on ebay for twice what they’re worth. But, after the smoke clears, Apple will come out with a second generation iPhone by early next year that’s better and cheaper. Additionally there will be new phones from competitors that will rival the iPhone functionality. I think I’m going to take the wait and see stance.

Alienware has a new digital Entertainment Center that looks to be the cream of the crop. The HANGAR18 starts at $1,999 and goes up to $3,849, you can get up to 2 terabytes of hard disk space. You can watch, pause and record live TV and movies, just like Tivo (running MS Vista). Additionally you can download content from the web and stream your media to any other computer in the house. The less expense model does 720p HD and the others do 1080p. I haven’t gotten my hands on one but it sounds like the ideal home media pc. I recently did a post about the Buffalo LinkTheater that streams content from your computer. But, it can’t record and doesn’t do storage. Then again, the LinkTheater only costs $126.99. If any of my readers have gotten there hands on the AlienWare HANGAR18, I would love to hear your feedback.

I’ve recently been using my computer to watch some “legal” downloaded movies and have been searching for some sort of solution that would put said movies onto my tv. Well, I got my hands on a Buffalo Link Theater PC-P3LWG/DVD and have been watching movies on my couch ever since. I was skeptical of anything that streams media from your computer but the Link Theater has been a real gem. Not even one time have I had any inconsistency with the media that I’ve been watching. The Link Theater supports the latest Windows Media HD codec, so you can stream 720p and even 1080i files. It was one of easiest plug and play products that I’ve ever used. It’s wireless and all you have to do is install the Link Theatre software on your computer and then navigate the set-up screen and your done. It supports many different video formats including DIVX, MPEG, WMV and XVID. As well as all the standard audio formats. You can also play DVD’s directly on its internal DVD player, which also supports standard CD-R/RW discs and CD-ROMs. For those of you that are into all the technical specs you can check them out here. Oh, and the price at Newegg is $126.99. Well worth the investment.

I just discovered Zonbu and am looking forward to trying one out. Zonbu is a tiny PC that comes pre installed with a bunch of opensource and free software (openoffice, firefox, skype etc.) and uses 1/10th of the power of a “typical” desktop computer. Zonbu’s business model is to charge a nominal upfront fee ($99 and $249) and then $12 – $20 for a monthly subscription. The subscription includes software upgrades, hardware, replacement, support and online storage and backup.

Zonbu is a compact, ultra low power mini with all the bells and whistles:

• Intel-like ultra-low power CPU
• 512 MB RAM + 4GB flash-based local storage
• Graphics up to 1400 x 1050 (16 million colors).
  Hardware graphics and MPEG2 acceleration
• PC-compatible ports for keyboard and mouse
• 6 USB ports to plug-and-play all standard USB accessories
• Broadband ready: 10/100MB Ethernet built-in.

Zonbu is $99 with a two-year subscription plan. With month to month plan, Zonbu is $249.

As soon as I can get my hands on one, I’ll give a complete review.

Technorati Tags: zonbu, green, PC, opensource, computer

This looks pretty awesome. Ambient Devices, the makers of the Orb and other cool products have come up with a desktop clock that shows your Google calendar in a whole new way. How it works is that it’ll sync with your Google calendar through their nationwide wireless network and then gives you glimpse of your daily schedule. For all of the features, an to test their online version, check out their site.

Spectone has a new tabletop Ipod dock stereo speaker system called Specktone Retro. I haven’t tried it out yet, but it looks super cool. Here are some of its features:

• Sleek & Stylish Retro design
• Analog Circuitry for rich, deep tone
• High-gloss lacquered wood cabinet
• 4″ subwoofer and LOUD 28 watt output
• 1/8″ mini plux AUX input
• Backlit ‘green glow’ volume knob

If anyone has one of these, let me know what you think.

technorati tags: ipod, specktone

Here’s a great idea. Nextworth has launched a new service that will allow you to trade your old Ipod up for a new version. With Apple releasing new versions all the time, this is a could way to keep current.

Why wait until your iPod has problems or it becomes out-dated before you upgrade. There is still a demand for previously owned iPods and we have the processes that allow us to offer you the highest purchase price along with hassle-free shipping. Simply select your iPod model, its condition and accessories and you can see exactly how much money you could have towards that new iPod.

technorati tags: nextworth, ipod, trade, nano

I was never a huge Star Trek fan, or at least the kind of fan that learned Klingon. I have, however, seen my fair share of the original series and The Next Generation.

It’s funny that back in 1966 the creators of the original Star Trek , and their props people, invented the first Nextel Walkie-Talkie phone and GPS.

A portable transceiver device in use by Starfleet crews since at least the 2240s.
Earlier versions were designed as a hand-held device with a hardware control interface and a flip-up antennae grid/activator, but by the 2340s the communicator functions had been built into the metallic uniform insignia “combadge” worn on the left breast, activated by touch or voice.
Among many uses, communicators serve as locator IDs for gaining a transporter lock on personnel.

I’m sure a lot of other people have made this correlation before, but, I’m just a little slow. The basic concept of the Communicator on Star Trek was that you could communicate with other crew members and do GPS location. It’s funny because the communicator srated as a “Flip Phone” on the original Star Trek and as morphed to the BlueTooth device that is in use today.

I wonder what “Science Fact” devices are being used now, in TV and cinema, that will be available to us in the future?

Motorola i850

technorati tags: communicator, star+trek, nextel, klingon, phone

This deal is just to good to pass up. Starting tomorrow at 12pm, 3pm and 7pm (ET) American Express will be selling 200 Xbox 360’s for $150.00. It’s on first come basis so I’m sure there will be 1000’s of people trying to get their hands on one. You can check out the deal by CLICKING HERE.

As a part of the same promotion, American Express will also be selling 3 Range Rover Sports HSEs for $5000 each on Tuesday Dec 13. If you can get in on that deal it’ll almost be like winning the lotto.
I’ll be in line for both.

technorati tags: xbox+360, xbox, deals, shopping, american Express