Gadget Sale at Play.com

Play.com have just announced a massive sale with bargains in every department! You can find plenty of Gadgets like the Doctor Who's Sonic Screwdriver - LED Torch & Harry Potter's Ford Anglia - Die Cast Vehicle for under a fiver! And all prices include Free Delivery!

A Wind Up MP3 Player! Reviewed

Trevor Baylis launched the wind-up radio to great acclaim over a decade ago. This years launch of his wind-up Media Player has been a little more subdued, but heaven knows why as this gadget is wonderful in so many ways! It includes many additional features you would not find on any other MP3Player, such as a bright LED Torch, and a method of providing your mobile phone with an emergency charge.

Features -
1.8" colour screen.
video player
fm radio
led torch
phone charger -use the winder to power your phone!
photo viewer
ebook viewer
hi-fi recorder - Record Gigs!
memo recorder
data storage -Use it to carry and store your data files
dual power charge- USB or eco-windup

Critique
Well, the 1.8" screen isn't quite upto as high a standard as an iPod, but it is functional and still worth including. The card based memory may not suit all users, though as a flexible and easy way of transferring and carrying media it is very widely used, hard-drive based media players use a lot of their power just spinning the drive so this is obviously why they decided on a card based system. With SD-Cards available which hold 2gb widely available, you don't need many to rival the capacity of most MP3 Players.
The plus side of things obviously comes from being able to charge it up by winding wherever you happen to be. The additional features which include being able to use the winder to power up a mobile phone and including an led torch are just genius, also the FM radio is a great addition for people who wish to listen to the radio whilst on the move as well as their own library of music.
For a full review of this, including more pictures and specifications - The Wind Up MP3 Player

The Wind Up Media Player is available from All Things Green

Amazon DRM-Free MP3's

Amazon are set to take on iTunes and wipe the floor with their new MP3 store! With MP3's now available from 100's of thousands of artists, from major to small independent labels, amazon bring you millions of tunes ready for downloading easily to your iPod, smartphone, mp3 player and your hard-drive. Now that these tunes are available without DRM (Digital Rights Management) you can transfer the tunes to any number of your portable MP3 players, or even burn the tunes to your own CD's. This will definitely give amazon MP3's an edge over music downloaded from iTunes with their restrictions on which media player you can use aand what you can do with the tunes once downloaded.

Amazon are also promoting the new release of their MP3 downloads by making available a free tune each day! Checkout amazon mp3's here. All tunes are compatible with Windows Media Player, iTunes & any music management application or hardware.

Cost
Most songs are priced from 89 cents to 99 cents, with more than 1 million of the 2 million songs priced at 89 cents. The top 100 best-selling songs are 89 cents, unless marked otherwise. Most albums are priced from $5.99 to $9.99. The top 100 best-selling albums are $8.99 or less, unless marked otherwise.

Quality
Every song on Amazon MP3 is encoded at 256 kilobits per second, which gives customers high audio quality at a manageable file size.

Chart
Also available is an amazon download chart to see which are the most popular tunes & albums in dozens of categories!

Get Paid to Surf on Your Mobile!

M:Metrics are a new survey company who are studying the browsing habits of people using mobile devices such as the Nokia N95 & N73 as well as other web capable mobile devices. The software installed on your device records anonymously your web usage and uploads this data. In return you get £15 for signing up and £5 a month there after, as well as entered into a competition to win a 40" LCD TV!

This is what they say about themselves

The Smart M:Panel is a targeted research panel comprised of Windows, Palm, and Symbian “smartphone” users who voluntarily install a software client on their mobile device that measures their real-world data usage. The software client, or M:Meter, captures activity around messaging, browsing, application usage and media consumption.

Once installed the M:Meter operates with no user interaction. M:Metrics is focused on accurately capturing data usage and consumption while protecting panellists privacy and ensuring our software does not adversely effect device performance.

iPhone Now in the UK! Order it from Amazon!

Amazon have just announced the Apple iPhone is in stock! Expect it to sell very quickly! Priced at £600 and it appears to be unlocked for use on any network as no mention is made of a contract!

Drop me a line if you know anymore than I do!

Reviewed - Hannspree JT01-32E2000G - 32" Widescreen HD Ready LCD TV - With HDMI

Possibly the cheapest 32" LCD, HD Ready, LCD TV with HDMI Input available in the UK today!
Now Hanspree may not be a name that you are familiar with but this model is getting good reviews on amazon. And currently at £379 it's almost a £100 cheaper than any of the competitors! (price on 29th Sept 2007 - Subject to change.)

Technical Details

Main Specifications

• Product Description: Hannspree Xv 32" LCD TV
• Product Type: LCD TV
• Diagonal Size: 32" - widescreen
• Weight: 21.8 kg
• Digital Television Certification: HD ready
• Resolution: 1366 x 768
• Display Format: 720p
• Input Video Formats: 720p, 1080i
• PC Interface: VGA (HD-15), HDMI
• Technology: TFT active matrix
• Progressive Scan: Yes
• Image Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Sound Output Mode: Stereo
• Speaker System: 2 speakers
• Remote Control: Remote control - infrared
• Power: AC 120/230 V

Extended Specifications

General

Product Type: 32" LCD TV Weight: 21.8 kg

Audio System

Equaliser: Yes Output Power / Total: 20 Watt Sound Output Mode: Stereo Speaker(s): 2 x right/left channel speaker - built-in - 10 Watt Speakers Included: 2 speakers

Connections

Connector Type: 1 x composite video input ( RCA phono ) ¦ 1 x S-Video input ( 4 PIN mini-DIN ) ¦ 1 x component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) ¦ 2 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) ¦ 2 x SCART ( 21 PIN SCART ) ¦ 1 x VGA input ( 15 PIN HD D-Sub (HD-15) ) ¦ 2 x audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) ¦ 1 x audio line-in ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )

Display

Diagonal Size: 32" - widescreen Display Format: 720p Resolution: 1366 x 768

Power

Power Device: Power supply - internal Voltage Required: AC 120/230 V

Remote Control

Type: Remote control - infrared

Video Features

• Teletext Memory: 1000 pages
• Teletext: Yes

Equivalent US Model -

Amazon Special £10 Discount on Personal Care

Spend £50 at Amazon and get £10 off! Offer only runs until the 7th October, so hurry to get those xmas pressies early and save some cash!

Click Here to get the code you will need to enter on the checkout page to get this discount. Also, please note this discount only applies to items sold by Amazon,not their marketplace sellers.

Just have a look at some of the items available -

Review - Philips HS8060 Shaver - The Best Electric Shaver a Man Can Get?

In this Reveiw we shall be looking at the Philips Nivea Moisturizing Rotary Shaving System - HS8060 Shaver - Currently available from Amazon at the price of £100, a discount of £50 from the RRP.

What's so special about this razor? - Well, Phillips do have a range of razors that have been getting rave reviews and the HS8060 is the latest in this line. The unique feature that the HS8040 and HS8020 shared with this new model is the revolutionary moisturising dispenser, which dispensing moisturising shaving foam as you shave, giving the look and feel of a wet shave. You just push a button to dispense the gel whilst shaving to get the required amount of lotion. These shavers have been selling like hot cakes as a result of this and are on the wish lists of the well groomed gent up & down the country, if not already in their bathrooms. The new feature that the HS8060 has is that you don't have to mess around refilling the razer, it refills automatically whilst in the charging cradle, all you have to do is replace the cartridge which sits in the cradle occasionally.

Plus Points - This is probably one of the only razors that can take off a few weeks of stubble as easily as a wet shave, with the closeness and smoothness of using a twin or triple bladed safety razor. Also due to the moisturising action it doesn't leave the skin at all irritated. Another big plus is the ability to use this razor in the shower, which certainly helps cut down on 'grooming time'.

Bad Points - The only drawbacks I can imagine with this razor is the funny eeee noise it makes, which is more amusing than annoying. Mildly annoying is the fact you are almost locked into buying the nivea moisturiser to refill with. Maybe not such a big deal when you compare it to the cost of shaving foam and razorblades, but no choices in what brand, so it's a good job this Nivea moisturising cream is such good stuff!

Conclusion - Well worth the money, this razor is doing stuff electric shavers have been promising to do for years - shave closer than a blade! Just wish I was in a position to buy the company!

Current pricing and availability on amazon UK-


Or just use This Link to check out the customer reviews of this shaver.

And on amazon.com, this model is known as the Norelco 8060x

Review of GPS systems for Trekking, Hiking, Running & Cycling

GPS equipment for trekking, hiking, running, cycling is a little different to that which you'd want to use in the car. There are a number of different units on the market that provide hands free easy use and the features and functions you'll require. As with all GPS equipment there is one company that takes a lead in this field - Garmin.
Here we are going to look at a number of the most popular hands-free GPS equipment for outdoor activities.

Garmin Forerunner 301
Primarily designed for the runner. It comes with a heart-rate monitor and software for you to analyse your training programme.
Features -

• Locations - up to 100
• Training data: Displays training time, pace, distance, lap pace, lap time, lap distance, average and best pace, elevation, and calories
• Lap history: Records up to 5,000 laps by day or week; stores approximately two years of data
• AutoPause: Automatically pauses training timer when you slow down below specified resting pace
• AutoLap: Automatically triggers lap when you reach specified distance
• Virtual Partner: Displays graphic "virtual partner" that runs with the set goal, letting you track whether you're keeping up or falling behind
• Pace alert: Alarm sounds if you're slower or faster than the pace you've input
• Time/distance alert: Alarm sounds when you reach the specified time or distance
• Interval training: Allows you to set up exercise and rest intervals and number of reps
• Map mode: Shows location and marked locations
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Heart rate info: Displays heart rate (beats per minute) and zone (between 1 and 5)
• AutoLearn: Learns user's heart rate zones and adjusts them as fitness levels improve
• AutoScroll: Cycles through data pages during workout
• Alerts: Alarm sounds if you reach minimum or maximum heart rate
• Multi-sport: Sets up profiles for running, biking, and other sport
• Display: 1.44 x 0.92 inches, 100 x 64 pixels
• Temperature range: -4 to 140 degrees F
• Interface : USB
• Batteries: Rechargeable lithium ion
• Battery life: 14 hours
• Waterproof: Yes
• Warranty: 1 year parts and labor

Plus Points -

• Lithium Ion battery -14hours
• Nice size display
• Easy interface with pc, USB and good software
• Sattelite reception & pick up is generally good, pick-up 30seconds to 2minutes depending on location. Signal strength remains good in most circumstances.
• Screen Size/Visibilty is very good for such a small unit.
• Heart Rate Monitor is generally good, very occasional spikes, though these are probably caused by not fitting the sensor correctly/securely.
• Training Buddy - fantastic for setting your pace almost worth the price of the unit itself!

Bad Points -

• No Mac Compatability for the Training Centre software
• Signal can break out under heavy tree cover or in built up areas.
• Supplied map software is not very accurate, better maps are available att an additional cost

Garmin Foretrex 201
Maybe not quite as good as the Forerunner 301, but may be a better device for those into watersports due to it's better waterproofing.

Features -

• Racing timers: Configurable start sequence, alert tones and large-number digital readout
• Trip computer: Trip distance, trip timer, plus essential navigation data
• Waterproof: Yes (IEC 60529 IPX-7 standards: submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes)
• Waypoints and routes: 500 waypoints with graphic identification; 20 reversible routes
• Track log: 10,000 trackpoints, TracBack technology and 20 saved tracks
• Display: 100 x 60-pixel monochrome display with backlighting
• Display size: 36 x 23 mm
• Batteries: 1 rechargeable lithium battery (supplied)
• Battery life: 15 hours (typical use)

Plus Points -

• The waterproofing is the best in its class
• Backlit display
• GPS Accuracy - upto 3metres!

Bad Points -

• No supplied base map
• charger quite large

The Conclusion -

The Garmin Foretrex wins on most counts in my opinion, for general trekking and watersports, though if I was in need of a virtual training partner or wanted one to help with a training program the forerunner would win.

New Amazon Widgets - Preview Movie Clips on Your Webpage

click on the icon in the top right and press play!

Just Like That! Impressive huh?

Pocket Digital Freeview TV Comparison

MPman 3" Pocket Digital Freeview TV
Vs.
Speedvision 3.5" Digital Freeview TV & Radio

These 2 pocket sized Digital Televisions with freeview both appear to offer very similair performance and value.

Both offer the ability of allowing you to use it as a freeview box for your TV by having video & audio outputs. Both also have the facility of using it as a radio receiver.

Though when getting down to the technical and performance comparisons it is obvoius there is a clear winner.

Although the MPman has a slightly smaller screen, the picture quality is superior at 960x320pixels in comparison with the Speedvision that only has a QVGA display with 320 x 240pixels.

Vision quality alone may not be enough, but the MPman also performs better in terms of receiving a signal, something that can be hit and miss in this world of patchy digital signals.

I am not alone in believing the MPman to be the superior Pocket TV, reviews of it on Amazon are overwhelmingly in praise of it.

Check out the current price below on Amazon UK for both, and feel free to look at the product reviews there.

Intro & Welcome

Welcome to Gadget Reviews & News,
I have previously been blogging quite generally on another blog about this, that & the other. I have decided it would be better if I could keep all my reviews & news of technical gadgets together in one place. So this is where they will live. I hope you will find these useful and will feel free to comment.
Thanks For Visiting!

Rupert