Ultra Cool Gadgets

The first generation Slingbox was a big step forward for so-called “place shifting” technology, a device that allowed you to view incoming TV signals on any TV computer in your home, or on any Internet-connected PC around the world. Sling Media is now introducing the successors to this groundbreaking product. Now there are three Slingboxes to choose from, each with features that make it easier than ever to bring your TV and other media with you wherever you roam. Choose from the Slingbox Tuner, AV, and Pro models depending on your entertainment needs.
The Slingbox Pro ensures that you can watch all of your favorite home theater entertainment anywhere you go, with the ability to watch and control up to three standard definition and one high definition video (via component connection) devices. Using an Internet connected computer or compatible mobile phone (with purchase of SlingPlayer Mobile software), you can watch and control your home TV, DVR, basic cable, digital cable box, or satellite receiver anywhere around your home or around the globe. With a Slingbox Pro you will never be separated from your favorite TV shows, sports broadcasts, breaking news stories, digital video recordings, or video on demand. The Slingbox Pro also includes the free Slingbox Finder service to locate a Slingbox from any network location, in or out of the home.

Technical Details:
- Redirects the TV signal to the computer of your choice–providing high quality video, no matter the distance
- SlingStream technology delivers up to a 400 percent video quality improvement over the original Slingbox
- Connects to digital cable box, DVR, satellite receiver, DVD players, video/security camera, or any NTSC component HD, S-video, or composite video source
- Includes free Slingbox Finder service to locate a Slingbox from any network location
- Watch and control your home TV, DVR, basic cable, digital cable box, or satellite receiver anywhere around your home or around the globe

Customer feedback:

1. Installation was quick and painless, but what about the real question: How’s the streaming video quality? Well, on my home PC, which obviously has an advantage since it’s on the same network as the Slingbox, I can get great streaming video. But that’s no real challenge.
So I went over to a friend’s house, where there’s a kinda miserable DSL connection, installed the Slingbox player, and fired it up…And guess what? After about 30 seconds, where the slingbox player was adjusting the compression/resolution in order to provide stutter free playback, the picture was rock solid. Better than anything I’ve EVER experienced with video from any web server. And it stayed rock solid. W-O-W! I’m sold. This product is for real. What a great product.

2. The MAC OS X client works like a charm, despite being in Beta. On a Core Duo MacBook Pro, the OS X client is quicker than the WinXP client running on similar Core Duo Dell hardware (E1705). Very nice. Being able to customize the button interface and swap interfaces between Mac and PC (to suit what cable channels you commonly watch) is a nice touch as well.
Lacking any Pocket PC hardware, I can’t tell you how well the handheld client runs (are you listening Sling? My Blackberry feels left out!) although the friend that recommended this product to me has connected to my Sling over the internet with his handheld HP. I’m done here. Nice product, some extra features like 802.11 would be nice, not having to spend an extra 50 bucks on a proprietary HD cable would be nicer still. Despite that, I’m a happy camper.

The Slingbox SOLO allows you to watch and control your favorite TV source from anywhere in the world on your laptop or mobile phone. So now nothing can come between you and your DVR, digital cable, satellite receiver, or DVD player. The Slingbox SOLO not only allows you to watch your home television anywhere, but it also allows you to watch any cable subscriptions, special programming, or sports packages you may have–at no extra cost. If it’s on your home TV, it’s on your computer and phone–with no monthly fees. With the Slingbox SOLO, you can watch all your favorites wherever you see fit.

Features:

- Watch your HDTV anywhere on your laptop or mobile phone.
- No monthly fees.
- Watch and control a high-definition or standard definition A/V device, such as a DVR, cable set top box, satellite receiver or DVD player.
- Full set of pass-through connections for easy integration with virtually any A/V device.
- On screen remote control. Every feature that’s available on your TV remote control is accessible through the included SlingPlayer software for your Windows or Mac laptop. This means you can view your electronic program guide (EPG), change the channels, queue a recording on your DVR, or even watch pay-per-view movies.
- Clip+Sling ready. Use your Slingbox to clip segments of your favorite TV programs and share them with friends and family online.
- Mobile phone compatibility. SlingPlayer Mobile software lets you watch and control your TV and all of its programming on compatible Windows Mobile, Symbian or Palm mobile phones. Separate download required.
- Crisp video streaming. SlingStream is the innovative streaming technology that ensures you receive the clearest picture possible at any given location.
- Supports over 5,000 A/V devices.
- Broadband internet connection w/router required.
- Supports Windows XP/Vista, Mac and Windows Mobile, Symbian or Palm OS-based mobile devices.

Customer feedback:

1. I have spent the last couple hours playing with the new Slingbox Solo. In comparison to the Slingbox pro I like this new model better. It is about 1/2 the size and does not need an extra dongle for HD video. The software to setup the device is very easy and very fast. Video quality on a home network is superb. Internet is not bad but depends on how much upstream bandwidth you have available.
The only gripe I have with it is the unit does not come with any component cables. This however is a small gripe. Overall this device is well worth the money if you like watching TV. Hopefully slingmedia will come out with an iPhone client soon.

2. The technology works! Using a Sprint Air card I was able to keep tuned into my TV while driving in the country. This is probably the worst case scenario for remote reception. I was only getting about 100K download speed with occasional dropouts. No other streamer that I have tested would work under these conditions.
I was running 320-240 res under these conditions. With faster more stable connection you can run higher. At home on my home network I run 640×480 resolution with a maximum stream rate of 6000Kbps with Near CD quality Audio. It works! It works! It Works!!

GO-HD captures true to life, vibrant colors and astonishing High Definition images like you’ve never seen, right in the palm of your hand. The GO-HD comprises 720P (1280×720 resolution in 16:9 aspect ratio) at 30 frames per second using advanced H.264 technology. And with a 3x Optical Zoom with Auto-Focus you’re sure to capture the finest quality and detail in every moment. The GO-HD also functions as a 5-megapixel digital camera with a CMOS sensor and auto focus, giving you even more quality choices on how you want to capture the moment. Replaying your images is a snap as the GO-HD offers virtually unlimited choices and compatibility. You can choose to view your HD images instantly by playing them back on the GO-HD’s 270-degree, swivel-reversible 2.4-inch TFT color LCD display or connect the GO-HD directly to your HDTV, HD monitor, standard TV or PC.
Customer feedback:
1. I picked up this camera not expecting anything much… but I was surprised! The video quality is very good and its pretty much a no brainer to use. For mac users it works great since its a .mov file . All I had to do was pull the sd card out of the camera and into a reader hooked to the mac and copy the files over… they play with quicktime as is with no further processing. I used quicktime pro to edit what I wanted and all went well. But since these are h2.64 files you will need to use viddy up or divx to send your creations to youtube.
Over all the camera exceeded my expectations. these kind of camera’s are really designed for quickie type videos that you want to view on your pc . They are convenient because the file is ready to go with no need for tape conversion then the dreaded compression which take forever… they are ready set go as soon as you copy the file. Also a 1gb sd card yields 30 mins and a 2gb is one hour. the camera comes with TWO batteries.
2. There are three reasons to buy this: 1) size, 2) resolution, and 3) cost. My old camcorder was huge, and the thought of lugging it around on vacation this summer in Europe motivated me to look for a new one. This thing fits in your pants pocket (the use of the SD card keeps it small). I wanted something with hi-def resolution so I don’t look at the videos in 5 years on my hi-def TV and think how old-fashioned it seems. And I didn’t want to spend a thousand or more dollars. This fit the bill on all counts.

Product details:

* Engineered Specifically For Long Gaming Sessions With Xbox®
* 720P High-Definition Camcorder
* 8 Megapixel Photos
* Records Video Clips&Playbacks On Hdtv Through Component Video&Audio Inputs
* Takes up to 8GB of SD or SDHC memory

PRODUCT FEATURES:
CineFX 3.0 Engine;
UltraShadow II Technology;
Intellisample 3.0 Technology;
Integrated HDTV Encoder;
Adaptable Programmable Video Processor;
64-Bit Texture Filtering and Blending;
Unified Driver Architecture (UDA);
nView Multi-Display Technology;
Digital Vibrance Control 3.0 Technology;
PCI Express Certified;
NVIDIA SLI Technology;
NVIDIA PureVideo Technology;
High-Speed GDDR3 Memory Interface;
256-Bit Memory Interface with Advanced Memory Control;
128-Bit Studio-Precision Computation;
Full-Speed 32-Bit Color Precision;
Dual 400MHz RAMDACs;
Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Optimizations and Support;
OpenGL 2.0 Optimizations and Support.

Nokia has made significant improvements on its predecessor with the N810 Internet Tablet while retaining much of what made the N800 such an easy-to-use mobile multimedia/communications device. The N810 augments the onscreen keyboard with a backlit, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and it also adds a front-facing webcam, 2 GB of internal storage (expandable via memory cards up to 8 GB), and integrated GPS. Built to be constantly in use, you’ll easily stay in touch with business associates, friends, and family thanks to its VoIP calling, instant messaging and email connectivity. And with stereo audio, multimedia support and a new ergonomic design, the Nokia N800 morphs into a portable Internet entertainment device, enabling playback of streamed and downloaded content wherever you roam.
The main form of connectivity is Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), and hooking up to a network is as simple as connecting with a laptop. You can also use the integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity to hook up with a cell phone that is compatible with online data services. When connected to either a WLAN network or to a cell phone, you can make calls using the built-in Internet telephony application as well as conduct video conferencing with the built-in Web cam.
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) technology means that the Nokia N810 will discover, interact with, and control other compatible home electronic devices. This includes PCs, media centers, home entertainment systems, new smart appliances, home automation systems, networked peripherals, and Web-based services. With compatible equipment, you can stream video from your Nokia device directly to your TV, or hear music tracks stored on your PC through your living room’s sound system.
Customer reviews:
1. I bought the N810 (had been considering the N800 a long time) and this really is a great internet tablet. I think Nokia has it right in no tmaking it a phone too (and locked down). Firstly - the wifi is super on this and detects wifi better than my laptop. The OS is very fast and spiffy and the software feels like its running on a desktop - fast. You can connect to 3G thru the phone over bluetooth (provided you have a data plan) and that gives me always connected and on status. I call my parents in India now ofrom any place using Gizmo, or Google talk . Its a great tablet for VoIP. Just have to wait some more for Skype to also work on this soon.
As a music player and Video player - its superb. Great album art also included in some apps like Kagu and UKMP. Though the music quality is a wee bit lacking in comparison to a good mp3 player (like my iRiver).
2. I love this thing. it can do everything that a pc can do but you can fit it in your pocket. It does take a little bit of know how to really unlock its true power. You can remote into your desktop pc from anywhere there is a internet connection. You can also use your internet from your celll phone also. I can access the net from anywhere now. i would recommend this device to anybody who is looking for a all in one device but dont want to get a iphone. the n810 is so the iphone killer. get one. you wont regret it.

Product Features:

* Internet tablet with ultra-slim design and slide-out QWERTY keyboard
* Connects to open Wi-Fi networks (802.11b/g) or via cell phones using Bluetooth 2.0
* Conduct video conferences on-the-go using internet calling and the integrated webcam
* 4.1-inch LCD touchscreen with full-screen keyboard; wide variety of multimedia playback
* 2 GB onboard memory expands via Secure Digital, SDHC, MMC, miniSD, and microSD

Technical Specifications:

* Internal memory: 2 GB
* Memory expansion: SD memory cards up to 2 GB, MiniSD and MicroSD cards (used with extender), and SDHC cards up to 8 GB
* Battery life: Up to 4 hours of continuous usage with wireless LAN on; up to 10 hours of music playback (Wi-Fi turned off)
* Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g
* Bluetooth: Version 2.0 + EDR (profiles supported: HID, FTP, DUN, GAP, SPP, HSP, SAP and OPP)
* Video formats: 3GP, AVI, WMV, MP4, H263, H.264, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, RV (RealVideo)
* Audio formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, AMR, AWB, M4A, MP2, RA (RealAudio), WAV
* Playlist formats: M3U, PLS, ASX, WAX, WVX, WPL
* Keyboard language support: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish-Portuguese, Scandinavian and Russian
* Dimensions: 2.83 x 5.04 x 0.55 inches (LxWxD)
* Weight: 7.97 ounces

The sleek Nokia N800 Internet Tablet combines a truly personal Internet experience with easy wireless connections, high resolution display and support for a wide variety of Internet applications. Built to be constantly in use, you easily stay in touch with business associates, friends, and family thanks to its Internet calling, instant messaging and email connectivity. And with stereo audio, multimedia support and a new ergonomic design, the Nokia N800 morphs into a portable Internet entertainment device, enabling playback of streamed and downloaded content wherever you roam.
The main form of connectivity is Wi-Fi (802.11b/g). You can also use the integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity to hook up with a cell phone that is compatible with online data services. When connected to either a WLAN network or to a cell phone, you can make calls using the built-in Internet telephony application as well as conduct video conferencing with the built-in Web cam.
Nokia N800 is designed to stay online so you can enjoy the benefits of the Internet, whether you’re at home or on the go. Browse your favorite sites. Stay in touch with the people you love with Internet calling. Chat with your friends. Check your email. Relax with your favorite songs and videos.

Customer review:
1. The toy is just a dream. It has the best screen I have ever seen. Just look, it has a better resolution than a desktop I used just 5 years ago! The picture is beutiful. You can scale the image very easily by +/- buttons. The software is also very useful. Internet browser is fast and handy. Especially if you use it in full screen mode. Nokia has probably the best antenna engineers in the world. Such a small device has a better network detection than my PowerMac and any other laptops I tried. It detects even 4 additional networks around my house locating on 1 acre of land (hey, neighbors, always protect your WiFi with a password!) which my laptop cannot.
2. The “Internet device in the small-but-usable” form factor is still very attractive. Cellphone screens are just too small for extended Internet use, but there are times when you don’t want to be lugging a laptop around with you. The clever Finns at Nokia have an answer to this dilemma: the N800 Internet Tablet. If you’re usually near a WiFi hotspot (in New York City, I’m rarely more than a hundred yards from one, and my office and apartment building are thoroughly saturated) this might be the device of your dreams. The N800 runs an embedded variant of Linux (really), gets its Internet access via WiFi (although it’s also capable of matching up with your Bluetooth-enabled cellphone), weighs about seven ounces, is roughly three inches tall by six wide, and half an inch thick. and has a nice, bright wide screen for your webular activities, plus a built-in webcam for still pictures and videoconferencing.

Product features:

* Internet tablet with ultra-slim design makes web browsing portable and convenient
* Connects to open Wi-Fi networks (802.11b/g) or via cell phones using Bluetooth 2.0
* Conduct video conferences on-the-go using internet calling and the integrated webcam
* 4.1-inch LCD touchscreen with full-screen keyboard; wide variety of multimedia playback
* 256 MB flash memory expands via two memory card slots compatible with Secure Digital, MMC, miniSD, and microSD
* For multimedia playback, the N800 is compatible with MP3 and WMA digital audio files (as well as AAC, M3U, and WAV), Real Audio streams, and video files encoded as AVI or MPEG4.
* With the UPnP media server functionality, you can share your music, video, and photos with others on the same Wi-Fi network.
* The N800 has two integrated speakers as well as a headphone jack for personal listening.

More than just a Portable Media Player (PMP) with a bright 7-inch screen and the ability to store all your favorite movies, tunes and photos, the groundbreaking Archos 704 is also outfitted with Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11g). Through your home wireless network, you’ll be able to browse through your multimedia library stored on any computer on the network. You’ll also be able to connect to online video stores to download content directly and wirelessly to the 704 WiFi. It features an 80 GB hard drive (providing capacity for about 70 DVD-quality movies), a 7-inch bright LCD touchscreen, and integrated speakers. Additionally, when paired with the optional Archos DVR Station docking station, you can easily connect the 704 WiFi to your TV to watch movies and photo slideshows on a larger screen as well as turn the 704 into a digital video recorder (DVR) to take your favorite programs with you wherever you roam. It measures 7 x 5 by 0.75 inches and weighs just 22 ounces.
The Archos 704 WiFi features a wide, high resolution (800 x 480) 7-inch color touch screen that allows you to navigate through menus easily with a stylus or even a fingertip. The size of screen enables a great visual comfort. Store and view up to 800,000 photos (JPEG, PNG and BMP formats) and display slideshows with music and transition effect. Manage your files and folders directly on the device for a better mobility. Enjoy the large size of the screen and the cool sleek design of the product to display the Archos 704 WiFi in your living room and use as digital photo frame.

More details:

* Portable media player with 80 GB hard drive stores up to 70 DVD-quality movies
* Integrated 802.11g wireless networking for connectivity to desktop PC, downloading videos from online stores
* Bright 7-inch LCD touchscreen for input from fingers or included stylus
* Plays MP3, WAV, WMA and protected WMA music files; also compatible with JPEG, PNG and BMP image files
* Measures 7 by 5 by 0.75 inches; weighs just 22 ounces
* Record TV or external video sources

The Epson P-5000 has what you need to store and share thousands of photos, videos, music, and more. It features a high-capacity 80GB hard drive, so you can download and save images from your camera, memory card, or computer, wherever life takes you. A large 4-inch LCD with Epson Photo Fine Ultra technology means your friends and clients will see every vivid detail in brilliant clarity and color.
The Epson P-5000 even supports additional memory cards with an optional third-party adapter. If you choose to use a computer, simply connect the Epson P-5000 to your computer using the Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface. It’s all right at your fingertips with this compact device. You can easily save important photos or your favorite videos and music. Best of all, with the large capacity hard drive, you can store thousands of files!

Some customer feedback:

1. The Epson was designed from the ground up for duplicating digital photos (JPEG and RAW formats) on the road, a necessary task for photographers who prize their images as well as their sanity. It should fit nicely into any photo professional’s ‘out-of-doors’ workflow. The device works very well (and pretty fast: for instance, I just copied 322 Mb worth of data — that’s 100 JPEG photos taken with a 10-megapixel camera at the highest-quality settings — in just over 60 seconds). The 4-inch screen is bright and draws beautifully detailed images. The controls, while not the latest in ergonomic excellence (the ‘back’ button in particular could have been better placed), are easy to press and a cinch to figure out (I never even had to crack the manual).
2. Just got this unit yesterday. It has an excellent 4 inch display. The unit reads Compact Flash cards and transfers images very fast. The ergonomics of it are also great and its very easy to use. Seems to work fine with Canon RAW files. Has Histogram display.

Product Features:

* Share your favorite photos, videos and music anytime, anywhere without a computer
* High-capacity 80GB hard drive to quickly save images on the spot; includes Adobe RGB color space, DivX video file, and RAW support
* Large 4.0-inch LCD with convenient zoom capability displays photos, videos, and more
* Built-in card slots support CompactFlash I/II and Secure Digital memory cards
* Connects to TVs or projectors with optional cable; Windows and Mac compatible