Archive for July, 2009
Acer and Asus to hold off on new Netbooks through 2009: Netbook freeze until 2010?
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
Asus Eee 1005HA: as good as it gets till 2010?
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
If you’re looking for a Netbook this holiday season, perhaps this is an indication that today’s selection might be as good as it gets for a short while: Acer and Asus, two of the
…
Using Apple’s AirPort Express with a DAC: A how-to guide
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
Want brilliant sound quality from your AirPort Express? So did we. And for that, we needed to connect it to a dedicated audio processor via fiber-optic cable.
Apple’s AirPort Express does much more for audio lovers than you might think. You’re probably aware that it lets you stream your iTunes library, from your Mac or PC, over Wi-Fi, through the APE to your hi-fi. But you may not know that it has a digital fiber-optic output, meaning it can stream lossless audio, with bit-for-bit accuracy, to a dedicated sound processor (a DAC), and into a hi-fi sound system.
Um, why should I be interested exactly?
Because when you send audio via AirPort Express, it’s processed by its on-board sound chip. It’s fine for most people, but it’s basic. If you’ve invested in a decent hi-fi you’re going to want to let a DAC process your audio properly, which means taking sound away from the AirPort Express via optical digital cable. By doing this, the APE simply passes the digital signal on, instead of converting it to audible sound and passing it over a standard audio cable.
Sounds awesome. By the way, what the hell is a DAC?
Ah, yes, we’re assuming here you know what a DAC is. For those of you who don’t know, it’s usually a dedicated box, and it has just one job: turn a digital signal of ones and zeroes into sound. This requires specialist circuitry and audio chips, so it’s something usually confined to the audiophile world. But if you’ve got a decent home audio system, it’s something to seriously consider investing in.
This is a DAC. The iBasso D10, to be precise.
…
Ricoh GRD III packs fixed 28mm F1.9 lens
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
(Credit: Ricoh)The Ricoh GRD series of compact cameras have been a popular choice among photographers who want a stealthy point-and-shoot that offers manual focus and exposure control. The Japanese company has updated this line with the GRD III and its optics should appeal to enthusiasts.
The 28mm fixed lens …
Novero launches TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
Novero’s TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset is will cost $149.
(Credit: Novero)
Novero has just launched a new Bluetooth headset today, dubbed TheFirstOne. It has a rather stylish look with white and silver accents all around. It comes with a car charging cradle, a desk stand, a necklace, a wearable …
Slacker Radio goes on (BlackBerry) Tour
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
In mid-July, Verizon began automatically pushing Slacker Radio to BlackBerry Storm phones. Starting Tuesday, Verizon’s partnership with Slacker Radio begins extending to BlackBerry Tour devices in its U.S. network as well.
As part of the agreement, Slacker Radio will hook into Verizon’s V Cast store (which itself …
Originally posted at The Download Blog
Ferrari 458 Italia virtually unveiled
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
The new 458 Italia is a mid-engine sports car that should replace the F430.
(Credit: Ferrari)
It’s a rare and good day when Ferrari announces a whole new car. Today we are treated to the 458 Italia, a new model mid-engine two-seater, which looks to replace the F430. Rather …
Originally posted at The Car Tech blog
The 404 391: Where the 404 is a postmodern piece of art
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
Meet Koufax
(Credit: Last.fm/R0BB23)
Even with Justin gone for over a week, the show must go on. Caroline McCarthy once again takes the reigns, all while helping to diversify the show. First, we’re treated to a mashup made in hell, Rick Astley vs. Nirvana in a little tune called “Never Gonna Give Your Teen Spirit Up”. You’ve been warned. To make things worse, we hear William Shatner’s beat-poetry version of Sarah Palin’s resignation speech.
Today’s Last.fm/Beck’s Beer semi-weekly Audio Draft band is Koufax, a tight rock outfit with a love of horns. Its latest record, “Strugglers,” is available now.
Also on today’s show: new details regarding the AT&T/4chan controversy and we’ll touch on Sprint’s acquisition of Virgin Mobile.
EPISODE 391
Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video
…
Originally posted at The 404
REI Kingdom 4 Tent Review
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
REI Kingdom 4 Tent
REI Kingdom 4: This family palace of a tent features 2 private rooms, tall vertical walls that maximize livable space, and multiple organizer pockets located throughout.
A fantastic family tent
Pros: Airy, Sturdy, Easy To Set Up, Comfortable, Waterproof, Fly Works Well
Best Uses: Car Camping
What Is Your Gear Style: Comfort Driven
: We bought the Kingdom 4 , footprint ground cloth, and optional 2nd vestibule for a family cross country camping trip. We pitched the tent along lakes in MN and at 8000′+ elevations in the WY Bighorn Mtns. Some nights we camped in all-night-long heavy thunderstorms and very heavy winds of 30-40 mph. Throughout all of it, the tent was dry as a bone, even though the back vestibule wasn’t installed. The back door may not have fly coverage, but when fully closed it is quite waterproof. When guyed at the corners and with the fly staked out, the tent is rock solid, barely rustling even in the strongest gusts. You can effectively close off the “windows” by staking down the edge of the fly that covers the mesh panels closer to the tent. The tent will still be ventilated without feeling drafty. We never experienced so much as a drop of condensation in the tent. If the fly is staked away from the tent in heavy rain, you may get a little splash back into the bottom of the windows, but closing them as described above totally alleviates that. The optional vestibule is huge and very useful, but not necessary to the integrity of the tent.
We have 2 REI X-Large camp beds pads (better than most hotel beds!) and with those and our 4 year olds standard pad, and very comfortably, we pretty much filled the tent, sleeping with our heads towards the back door. Those Camp Beds are huge though, and 4 people with standard sized pads would have no problem fitting inside. There are plenty of pockets to stash stuff sacks, water bottles, lights, whatever. It is very well-thought out.
Overall, we were absolutely pleased with this tent. It is very tall inside and pleasant to be in, easy to set up, and perfectly functional. The carrying bag is good and has room to fit everything including the extra vestibule, ground cloth, and more. I reccomend it without reservation as a family camping tent.
REI ()
T-Mobile Sidekick LX gets Microsoft Exchange support
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)As promised back in May, T-Mobile is bringing Microsoft Exchange support to the T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009. Starting Tuesday afternoon, Sidekick LX owners will be able to download the Sidekick Sync app from the handheld’s Download Catalog and get real-time push e-mail, attachment viewing, and …
On Call: Traveling abroad with your cell phone
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
Q: We’re meeting friends from Israel in Santorini, Greece for a holiday. Since they’ll be staying on another part of the island, we’re bringing an unlocked cell phone so we can keep in contact. How can we get an Israeli prepaid SIM card so it won’t cost us the $4.99 per minute that our carrier charges to call an Israeli number?
- Linda
A: Forget an Israeli SIM; I recommend that you and your friends each purchase a Greek SIM card. While you’ll be calling an Israeli number, you’ll be calling it from Greece. As such, you would pay roaming and possibly long distance fees just to place a call. Also, it’s very possible that a prepaid Israeli SIM card won’t even work outside of Israel.
…
Originally posted at Dialed In Podcast
When stereo’s one speaker too many, think mono
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
One speaker can do it all
(Credit: Klipsch)
Mono was the one and only way to listen to music and movies for decades.
But it’s not ancient history. Mono’s on something of a comeback, and the upcoming remastered Beatles catalog will be offered in an all-mono box in …
Originally posted at The Audiophiliac
Android-based Creative Zii Egg gets official
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
The Creative Zii EGG in all its Android-loving glory.
(Credit: Zii.com)
We knew Creative was up to something when that Zii Egg FCC application flew past us earlier this month, but we had no idea it would be this awesome, or this confusing. Turns out the Zii Egg (what …
Originally posted at MP3 Insider
Sonos BU250 music system gets Editors’ Choice
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
Multiroom in a box: The Bundle 250 retails for $999.
(Credit: CNET)
Sonos is back for 2009 with a new version of its signature Digital Audio System. Like earlier iterations of the Sonos product, the new Bundle 250 lets you wirelessly access your computer’s digital music collection as well …
Samsung’s debut e-book reader arrives
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
For its first e-book reader, Samsung Electronics has crumpled up and cast aside its catchy codename and gone downright bureaucratic. Formerly known by the working label of Papyrus, the new SNE-50K reader will initially be sold only in South Korea, starting Wednesday. But the device may reach other markets across the world sometime next year, said a Samsung spokesperson. Unlike larger readers such as Amazon’s Kindle, the SNE-50K was designed by Samsung to be compact, sporting a 5-inch screen and weighing 6.5 ounces. The device will come with 512MB of memory and offer a resolution of 600×800 pixels. Borrowing some features from a PDA, the SNE-50K will support handwriting recognition, so users can write and store memos, manage schedules, and view calendar appointments. The device will also let people read text files, PDFs, and Microsoft Office documents by converting those files into a viewable BMP graphic format. The reader will sell for 339,000 Korean won, or about $270. …
That’s not true! That’s a USB drive!
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
(Credit: TechEBlog)USB drives have become a commodity, and, like other things we have too many of, it’s hard to make individuals stand out. That’s why I find this Luke Skywalker-getting-maimed USB drive to be doubly awesome: it’s my favorite climactic scene from the original trilogy and …
Sigma DP2
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
The Sigma DP2 doesn’t really live up to the promise of its Foveon sensor, but it does excel for shooting in black and white photos.
Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 (Sprint)
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
If you can afford the service plan and stay within the required data limits, the Sprint Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 mobile router is a great way to access the Internet on the go.
New EMC Retrospect 8.1 backup software supports PowerMac
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
(Credit: EMC)Owners of Time Machine-enabled Macs need not apply. But for the rest–especially small businesses that want a centralized backup solution, then EMC has something for you.
The company announced Tuesday the availability of its Retrospect 8.1 backup software for the Mac platform, which, unlike the previous version …
Clipper MP3 player, apocalypse-approved
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
The Archos Clipper gives the iPod Shuffle a run for its money, only four years too late.
(Credit: MyMemory)
Mobile phones and Netbooks may be nibbling away at the market for portable media players, but there will always be a demand for dirt-cheap, bare-bones MP3 players. Our grandchildren could be …
Hints of an iPhone or tablet device for Verizon?
by Talk about Deal on Jul.29, 2009, under Review
(Credit: Matt Hickey)As the rumors of an Apple tablet-like device intensify, so too do the rumors of the iPhone coming to Verizon. In the keynote speech at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple barely mentioned AT&T when talking up the successes of the iPhone. The relationship between …
