The Smorgasbord

Last year in 2007 I remember when the Amazon Kindle was launched, and I thought “that’s kinda cool”. But it’s yet “another device” that does something you can already do on your mobile phone AND computer AND laptop! So, my first impression (back then) was that it was “cool” but not completely necessary. Now, let’s talk about what makes it viable as a gadget and why it’s becoming more popular.

The Amazon Kindle is an “eReader”. It’s meant for you to take it with you and read things, from novels and books, to newspapers and blogs. Battery life is long and it only needs a charge about every other day, and the screen is what they call “ePaper”. It’s not like your cellphone, laptop, or monitor screen - it has no glare (and it’s not backlit). It’s easy to read in any light, just like a book or newspaper.

Kindle has an “EVDO” connection just like the high speed connections of cell phones. This means that it’s “wireless”. The Kindle is different than other eReaders because it can get new content, download new books, or get fresh newspaper or blog content from RSS feeds “on the go” wherever you are. Don’t be fooled - you have to buy the books, but the “e” version is much cheaper. A latest New York Times best seller might be $26.99, but on Kindle it’s probably $9.99. Newspaper subscriptions cost money too, but with Kindle you can download the first few chapters of a book or read two weeks for free on a newspaper subscription before you pay anything. At least you can test drive before you pay. Magazines are available too like Time and Forbes.

You can’t exactly surf the web with Kindle, but one feature that is available is the ability to look anything up on Wikipedia. The included of the New Oxford American Dictionary could be very handy as well. It also has an annotation feature and bookmarking - so you can keep notes or keep track of where you were. One of the more controversial features are the RSS feeds. You can subscribe to any one of hundreds of RSS feeds (which are freely available on the web) for about $2 per month. Many people feel these should be completely free, as they are on the web. What they fail to realize is that kindle has no wireless charges at all - once you buy the unit there are no monthly fees. Your subscription fees basically cover the EVDO wireless access charges.

I didn’t even mention that it has an SD memory card slot, and that you can email documents to your Kindle for review, like pictures, PDF files, and Word docs. Now - it’s a tool you can use to review documents for school or work.

Here’s an Amazon Kindle review from a tech evangelist that has used many other eBook readers before he got the Kindle, this was his first review 12 hours after he got it.

Another Kindle video review:

I think that the Kindle could be one of the few gadgets you could give as a gift to people that are so “geeky” if you know what I mean. It’s easy to use, and Amazon has done a good job of taking away all the technological barriers away. It doesn’t have to be charged that often, and it never has to be connected to a computer or anything to work - it’s completely independent. This could actually be a really cool gift for Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa. If you’re an avid reader or on the go a lot - the Kindle may be for you. There’s two ways to get one, and they are of course “new or used” Amazon Kindle’s. There are some for sale on eBay - check out these auctions.

AS IS Amazon Kindle Wireless Electronic Book Reader

US $152.50 (24 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 17:00:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

1000+ eBooks For Amazon Kindle, Computer, Mobile, PDA

US $0.01 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 17:00:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

BRAND NEW Amazon Kindle eBook Reader - Factory Sealed!!

US $395.00 (31 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 17:39:19 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Amazon Kindle For Sale - Lightly Used

US $405.00 (13 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 17:44:09 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Amazon Kindle, 1 month used, it has 10 month Warranty

US $455.80 (28 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 19:13:09 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

1000+ eBooks for Amazon Kindle, Computer, Mobile, PDA

US $7.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 20:00:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Books for Amazon Kindle complete literary collection CD

US $19.95 End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 12:32:24 PST Buy It Now for only: US $19.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

AMAZON USED KINDLE

US $280.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 13:52:27 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

In addition, you can buy one new directly from Amazon itself here:

The LG BH200 Blu-Ray HD-DVD Combo Player is now much more affordable than ever before, and even though Blu-Ray is now pretty much decided on as the standard for surpassing regular DVD’s in HD format - having the “HD-DVD” format option available is a bonus! If you’re wondering what the big deal is about a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD disc versus a traditional DVD movie - all you really have to know is that it’s displayed at nearly TWICE the resolution! If you thought a traditional or progressive scan DVD movie was a pretty good picture - if you own a flat screen LCD or Plasma television, you OWE it to yourself to upgrade your DVD player to Blu-Ray and HD-DVD!

Having said that - the LG BH200 is the one we picked because it not only plays in full 1080p output, but this player upscales the picture of traditional DVD’s to Full HD as well! It’s already setup to handle the “BD-Live” features touted ahead for Blu-Ray discs, but the LG “Super Blu Player” will also do MPEG’s, H.264 Quicktime, and DTS-HD audio as well. Oh, of course it has HDMI 1.3 out too. It also has S-Video and Component outs, but who would want to use those?

Guess what - it has USB “media host” too so you can set it up to access digital pics and MP3’s. Plugin your external hard drives, portable drives, or flash sticks for quick access and review of your multimedia files. The one thing we noticed was that this thing was practically silent when playing discs. It even has a network ethernet jack!

This would be a good treat for yourself and the old home entertainment center before you have to start saving to buy other people Christmas presents! Or, you could even put it away as an early present for that special someone.

Here are the best prices you can get on the LG BH200 Blu-Ray HD-DVD Combo Player:

LG BH200 SUPER BLU™ RAY AND HD DVD COMBO PLAYER

US $249.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 17:20:22 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

LG Super Blu BH200 Blu-ray Player REGION FREE NIB NEW

US $525.00 End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 11:39:35 PST Buy It Now for only: US $525.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

LG BH200 Blu-ray and HD-DVD Player

US $500.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 13:26:57 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

LG BH200

US $220.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 6:57:36 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

LG BH200 Super Blu HD DVD Multiplayer w/ 1080p Output

US $17.98 (1 Bid) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 11:14:13 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

AS-IS LG BH200 Super Blu HD Multiplayer w/ 1080p Output

US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 11:22:39 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

LG BH200 Super Blu HD DVD Multiplayer w/ 1080p Output

US $102.50 (2 Bids) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 12:52:32 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

LG Super Blu™ BH200 Blu-ray and HD-DVD Player

US $375.00 End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 10:09:52 PST Buy It Now for only: US $375.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

This “Sata HDD Dock” is one of the coolest things ever! I purchased some cables a long time ago where you can hook up a hard drive via USB, and I thought that was pretty cool. But you still have to deal with the cable. If you have hard drives laying around, or you repair PC’s for family and friends this is just the must have geek gadget tool! It’s a hot-swappable dock, and all you have to do is just plugin your drive in! That’s it! You can get them in Sata and eSata, and most will take 2.5″ AND 3.5″ drives - that means notebook drives too! The ones I looked at even had an eSata cable port on the back of the dock for even faster data transmissions! Who needs a flash drive when you have a port for an entire hard drive!

2.5''/3.5'' USB 2.0/eSATA SATA HDD Dock w/Card Reader &

US $53.99 End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 14:55:12 PST Buy It Now for only: US $53.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2.5''/3.5'' EN391 USB 2.0 SATA HDD Dock

US $33.99 End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 14:55:28 PST Buy It Now for only: US $33.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

USB eSATA to 2.5"/3.5" SATA HDD Dock Docking Station

US $27.23 End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 15:46:13 PST Buy It Now for only: US $27.23 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2.5/3.5 SATA HDD Dock USB Hub/SDHC SD TF Card Reader

US $30.00 End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 16:00:00 PST Buy It Now for only: US $30.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

SATA 3.5"/2.5" dock HDD player/Case-SD-Divx/DVD/Avi/MP3

US $39.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 16:15:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

SATA HDD Hard Disc Drive USB Dock Cradle Media Player

US $74.98 End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 17:47:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $74.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

USB to 2.5 3.5 SATA HDD Hard Disk Dock Enclosure Case S

US $49.98 End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 18:07:36 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

eSATA+USB to 2.5"/3.5" SATA HDD Hard Drive Dock Station

US $19.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 19:30:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Ziotek Wireless Night Vision Kit

I came across the Ziotek Wireless Night Vision kit ZT-812C2 the other day, and it’s the first kit I’ve seen with “night vision”. I reviwed some wireless and IP cameras awhile back, but the Ziotek bundle has high quality picture and sound - and it’s weather resistant, meaning you can mount them outdoors. The range of the wireless cameras is over 350 feet, and the system can be used with a TV, VCR, or other monitors or recording devices. You can switch between the two monitors with the push of a button. If you monitor your home or business, this can be a great way - but I love the fact that these are wireless. That’s such an advent of technology - the ability install security without running camera wires all over!

With this two camera set you can literally see in the dark. These compact cameras provide excellent color video with sound and are weather resistant for use outdoors. The desktop receiver has an adjus With this two camera set you can literally see in the dark. These compact cameras provide excellent color video with sound and are weather resistant for use outdoors. The desktop receiver has an adjustable antenna for fine-tuning reception and a remote control so you can switch monitor channels at the push of a button. The cameras can be powered using 9V battery with battery clip or with 110VAC (battery, clip and AC adapter included).

Click to check prices of the Ziotek Night Vision Camera Kit

We need to find some “floating shelves” after the post about our new surround sound system the other day. You know, the kind that look like they’re just floating on the wall. Since we have a flat screen hanging on the wall - what the heck do we need a TV stand for? I want to get that audio equipment off the TV stand, take it out, mount it on the wall and free up room in my living room!

I’d been thinking about this for some time, and the floating shelf concept was one I had in the back of my head, but hadn’t seen anything even remotely like what I wanted at the store. I took 5 minutes to search Amazon today - and lo and behold they have exactly what I need!

This set of floating shelves is only $100, much cheaper than anything else I say, it’s quality and can hold heavy weights like a big audio video receiver, they are stylish, come in three colors, and very functional! It’s exactly what I wanted and they are on order now! You can check out the floating shelves here!

These audio rack shelves came in a close second, and if I had wanted something on the floor - this would have been exactly what I chose. Maybe when we put a system together for the basement family room this is what we’ll get!

We just bought an RCA RTD217 home theater for our living room. It was kind of unexpected, but I thought I would blog about it because it was such a good deal. I’m no audiophile by any means, and I’m pretty geeky when it comes to computers and gadgets - and I do have a flat screen LCD hanging on the living room wall. But for some reason we just never got any kind of surround sound or home theater system. Probably because I spent the money on an external hard drive or something else.

So I’m in the store and we see they have some display models on clearance - and I took a look. They had 2 DVD players and one was HDMI output that was pretty cool. But then I saw this RCA surround sound system for half off the retail. It was 250 watts (50 per speaker), a 5 disc DVD changer, AM/FM radio, but the thing that sold me was the fact that it would play CD and DVD data disks, Windows Media, DivX, PhotoCD’s - just about anything. The selling feature was the fact that it had a USB port on the front that said it would accept both USB flash drives or external hard drives!

So at half off we couldn’t resist - we snatched it up and took it home. I hooked it up to the 5 prong component cable to our flat screen, wired up the speakers, and fired it up! It has 4 levels of subwoofer, both surround and stereo modes, DVD’s were awesome (progressive scan), and we sent audio from the TV back to it so the cable could play through it on the AUX channel.

Then we brought in the external hard drive, and that’s when the surprise came in. We plugged in a 300GB Western Digital Mybook and brought up the menu on the TV. MP3’s played fine, pictures were great, but we couldn’t get it to play any video at all. Not Windows Media, DivX, MPG, anything! Arghh! We went back and read the manual and found out that the USB port only plays AUDIO!! Crap! All is not lost because we can still play data discs, but that means burning one every time. I guess we just have to get some rewritables. I still say that at half off it was a good deal. Let this be a lesson to you if you go shopping for a home theater with a USB input jack!

I am however, going to start searching for a stereo system that you can hook up external drives too and play video!! I’ve heard you can “hack” the menus of some DVD players too (through the firmware) and this is something that we’re certainly going to look into.

RCA RTD217 5-Disc DVD/CD Home Theater System

US $107.99 End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 11:57:51 PST Buy It Now for only: US $107.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

RCA RTD217 5-Disc DVD/CD Home Theater System

US $104.99 End Date: Friday Dec-19-2008 11:46:17 PST Buy It Now for only: US $104.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

500GB My Book World NAS Network Storage Hard Drive WD

US $61.25 (8 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 15:08:30 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

500GB My Book World NAS Network Storage Hard Drive WD

US $43.19 (6 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 15:43:32 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

1TB WD My Book World Edition II NAS Network Hard Drive

US $117.50 (13 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 18:37:49 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

1TB WD My Book World Edition II NAS Network Hard Drive

US $102.00 (7 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 18:58:57 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

WD My Book World Edition II 2TB NAS Network Hard Drive

US $158.01 (7 Bids) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 19:00:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Would you like to access the Internet 100 times faster than you do now? According to Roland’s Emerging Tech blog that reality isn’t too far off. I’ve been using the Internet the very beginning of dial-up and the 1200 baud modem. That’s probably 100 times slower than the broadband we have today. What if I told you that a new way to transfer data for the Internet has been developed and it’s 100 times faster than what we have now?

In Australia at the University of Sydney they created an optical chip based on plain glass that could transfer up to 640Gbps - yes “gigabytes per second”. That’s about a dozen and a half full DVD’s (per second). They say it could be up to 100 faster than what we have “at no additional cost to the consumer”. Well, that’s university people saying that - you sure can bet, even if it doesn’t cost your provider any more - because it’s 100 times faster they’ll jack up the price to who knows what. When I read this article the thing I wonder is if they can make computer parts based on this new glass switching technology and lessen the reliance on silicon. Exiting things are definitely to come.

My HPTouchSmart PC Review shows you how you can buy the PC of tomorrow - today!

You’re probably going to catch some ads on TV about this in the coming weeks (as I did today), but the HP TouchSmart PC is just all over the place now. It’s so sleek and cool, and when you see it you just can’t help want one. What am I talking about?

This post is part of our Tech Reviews series!

Just watch the video, and then you’ll know what I’m talking about…