Cornixed AV Powerline Ethernet Adaptor Reviewed (Verdict: Expensive and Slow)

Grok Headline matches for Cornixed AV Powerline Ethernet Adaptor Reviewed (Verdict: Expensive and Slow)

May Flash GBA A/V Adapter Reviewed
(Verdict: Meh)

May Flash GBA A/V Adapter Reviewed
(Verdict: Meh) 03/30/2005 07:31 AM

GadgetMadness reviews May Flash's simple GameBoy Advance A/V Adapter. Just put the cartridge into your player, plug your nearest video-producing device's RCA jacks into the cartridge, and have at it. Brightness, contrast and volume are controlled using the GameBoy's buttons, as well as hue and saturation. A major let down for GadgetMadness was the fact that the unit requires you to use headphones plugged into the cartridge to hear the sound passing through it—it's unable to play the sound through the unit's speakers. Of course, the unit is only a pass-through itself, so you'll have to be carrying a battery-powered set-top DVD player in your backpack for this to be of any good, but it allows you to use your GameBoy's screen for nearly any purpose you can find around the house. Probably not a bad way to go for some hacky projects, but not for mobile video.

May Flash GBA A/V Adapter Review [GadgetMadness]
Catal og Page ($53.00) [Merconnet]

Sonos ZonePlayer Reviewed (Verdict: Not
Sucky)

Sonos ZonePlayer Reviewed (Verdict: Not
Sucky) 02/05/2005 10:17 PM

PC Magazine has a glowing review of the fresh-from-the-oven Sonos ZonePlayer, applauding its austere good looks with a complete feature set that makes the system easy to configure and even easier to use. The cost may take aim at the bourgeois, but the review kindly reminds us that they're competing with whole-house audio systems which often cost far more. A gem of a feature (we've mentioned before) of the Sonos not found in competing products is its ability to play the same music throughout your manse in perfect sync.

Sonos ZonePlayer ZP100 Review [PC Magazine]

Update: A couple of you wrote in to say the SlimDevices Squeezebox can do sync'd up music, as well. To that I say: good!

Aerielle ABWAS-150 RF Headphones
Reviewed (Verdict: Don't Go Too Far
Away)

Aerielle ABWAS-150 RF Headphones
Reviewed (Verdict: Don't Go Too Far
Away) 06/22/2005 01:57 AM

Aerielle, not to be confused with the fishy tart of Disney fame, is an RF system that transmits audio to a pair of stereo headphones with relative accuracy and fidelity. The advertised 15-foot radius is false but otherwise these seem like a good solution for those not wishing to be tethered to their MP3 players or need to watch TV while not waking the demons in your basement.

The device transmits on the low end of the FM band—no word if these things can transmit every radio in the vicinity or just the headphones—but they seem like a fairly good solution to a common problem.

Aerielle ABWAS-150 RF Wireless Audio System Review [i4u]

Gigabyte GV-3D1 Reviewed (Verdict:
Overpriced Dead End)

Gigabyte GV-3D1 Reviewed (Verdict:
Overpriced Dead End) 06/22/2005 01:58 AM

Gigabyte's GV-3D1 is a neat graphics card: it stuffs two Nvidia 6600GT cores onto one card and stitches them together in SLI, without any fussy wires or dual slots. That's the good part.

The bad part is that Gigabyte has made the boneheaded decision to only bundle the 3D1 with a motherboard, which also boneheadedly happens to be the only motherboard that the 3D1 can run on. That might be a technical limitation, but with no promise from Gigabyte that the 3D1 will work with any future motherboards and a price premium that puts the bundle at around $100 more than buying two 6600GTs and a motherboard from Newegg, it seems mostly like a nifty bit of engineering that isn't worth actually spending money on.

Two 6600GT’s in One: Gigabyte’s 3D1 [Sudhian]

Dell XPS 2 Reviewed (Verdict: Smaller,
Nicer)

Dell XPS 2 Reviewed (Verdict: Smaller,
Nicer) 04/18/2005 03:08 PM

HardOCP has reviewed the XPS 2, the second generation gaming laptop from the usually staid Dell. Gone from this new incarnation of the XPS, thankfully, is the death’s head on the case cover. New features include a move to Pentium M and NVIDIA’s GeForce Go 6800 mobile graphics chipset, making this a truly portable gaming laptop as opposed to a fat Pentium 4 in an ugly desktop replacement body.

The lads at HardOCP got into the nitty gritty, even going so far as to describe the integrated PowerMizer battery saving features. While the XPS 2 doesn’t have cool neon ground FX—yet—it seems like a step in the right direction.

Dell Inspiron XPS Gen 2 with GeForce Go 6800 Ultra [HardOCP]

Firefly Phone Reviewed (Verdict: You
Know, For Kids)

Firefly Phone Reviewed (Verdict: You
Know, For Kids) 06/22/2005 01:58 AM

The Firefly, which is available through Cingular, is a mini-cell phone for the 8-12 set. It has dedicated Mom and Dad button (What if Dad wears mumus or kilts and Mom wears pants? What if it's two mommies or two daddies? Wow. The unexpected gender politics of key caps.) and has a 911 button for emergencies. General usage is uber-simple—press and call. The review found some quirkiness with the initial set-up, but one can only assume that once the Mother-Unit and Father-Unit numbers are programmed in, all the Child-Unit has to do is press a button.

The phone uses prepaid cards to charge usage and supports 850 and 1900Mhz GSM and offers about 6 hours of talk time. It's quite small and rounded, making it a perfect "I-lost-it-in-the-river" item for the youngster in your life.

Review of the Firefly mobile phone for kids [MobileBurn]

Update: Sascha Segan wants you to know he reviewed this phone in March.
Firefly Phone Review [PCMag]

Evoluent VerticalMouse 2 Reviewed
(Verdict: Tiring)

Evoluent VerticalMouse 2 Reviewed
(Verdict: Tiring) 03/22/2005 04:46 PM

CNET reviews the Evoluent VerticalMouse 2, a peripheral designed to ease the stress of mousing by making you hate mice altogether, apparently. Although the idea is sound, according to CNET, the execution is flawed, forcing you to hang your hand on the mouse against gravity, which is tiring. Plus it sounds like there are some manufacturing flaws, including loose rubber bits that get caught up in the scroll wheel. It seems you might be better off saving the $70 and just buying some Valium from your suburban apothecary.

Evoluent VerticalMouse 2 [CNET]

Geil iBall MPV Player Reviewed (Verdict:
Eh)

Geil iBall MPV Player Reviewed (Verdict:
Eh) 03/22/2005 04:46 PM

I can't imagine too many of you have been biting your nails about how well the Geil iBall MPV MP3 player will review, but if so, 3DVelocity saves your knuckles with this review of the flash-based player available in sizes up to a GB (for $210). It's got a less-than-optimal visual interface, a slow USB 1.1 connection, and sub-par syncing software. It can play video, though, which is somewhat unique for a flash player in this category, but I'm not sure that party trick is going to make it worth the price. It would, however, perfectly complement your mechanized zoot suit.

GeIL iBALL MPV Player [3DVelocity]

Fossil Wrist PDA Reviewed Again
(Verdict: Outdated)

Fossil Wrist PDA Reviewed Again
(Verdict: Outdated) 03/22/2005 04:46 PM

TheRegister has gotten their paws on a Fossil Wrist PDA, the FX2008, and posted their review of it. After having waited "an extra year," the reviewer says it has some serious pitfalls — it's too damn big and has too short a battery life. One is a critical blow to the "watch" aspect, and the other a critical blow to the "PDA" aspect. I'll let you figure out which is which. Fatality.

Product Information [TheRegister]

Gizmondo Reviewed (Verdict: Were You
Expecting Good?)

Gizmondo Reviewed (Verdict: Were You
Expecting Good?) 03/30/2005 07:31 AM

I'll admit to a certain bias when it comes to Gizmondo, since ever since they announced their name change a year or so ago, they've made my life a living hell. "They guy who writes Gizmondo is an idiot!" or "I hate Gizmondo!"

Okay, obviously sometimes it works out. But still, it causes a lick of fire to stir in my smudged crystal of a heart to read this review from Mobile Playa, which tears apart the Gizmondo for a confusing interface, seriously lacking content, spotty video performance, and an inflated price. It's one thing to go up against Sony as they try to throttle the life from the Game Boy juggernaut, but who is going to buy a $400 Gizmondo when the PSP is out there for $250 (a price many already consider very high for a portable)?

Gizmondo: The (Long-Awaited) N-Gage Killer [MobilePlaya]

Cellpoint Flamingo Headset Reviewed
(Verdict: Fantastic, But...)

Cellpoint Flamingo Headset Reviewed
(Verdict: Fantastic, But...) 04/18/2005 03:08 PM

So I'm a child. I know that. But surely I'm not the only one who has noticed the Cellpoint Flamingo Headset looks like a big, black cock hanging out of these people's ears? It may sound great, feel great, and have a long battery life—it still looks like a dong. If I'm going to pay $130 for a nubian schlong, it's going to be attached to something more substantial than six different rubber ear pieces.

Exclusive Review of the Cellpoint Flamingo Headset [PhoneMag]

Olympus R1000 TDA Reviewed (Verdict:
Ruggedly Sexy)

Olympus R1000 TDA Reviewed (Verdict:
Ruggedly Sexy) 03/14/2005 06:02 PM

Perfect for the casual CIA operative or dolphin trainer, the Olympus R1000 is a truly rugged "tough" digital assistant, as MobileMag's review clearly shows. The device offers enhanced security along with the ability to take nearly anything you throw at it (including other R1000s). Surviving submersions in tanks of water, 8 hours of "agitation" with dust and drops from more than 6 feet, the device is available in either Linux Qtopia or CE .NET and will cost you between $900 and $1100, depending on your wireless options. (Bluetooth vs. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.) Available now, check MoblieMag's review for all the rugged details.

Olympus R1000 Waterproof Tough Digital Assistant [MobileMag]
Catalog Page [BuyToughPC]

Logitech Premium USB Headset 350
Reviewed (Verdict: Loud)

Logitech Premium USB Headset 350
Reviewed (Verdict: Loud) 06/22/2005 01:57 AM

Logitech's new Premium USB Headset 350 gets a glowing review from Everything USB, who claims its slim construction is light and comfortable and not just a fragile $50 headset. One benefit they don't exactly mention is that a USB headset serves as a separate sound device in Windows, allowing you to run just the headphone chatter in multiplayer games like Battlefield 2 to the headphones alone, while keeping the sounds from the game, explosions and such, in your booming surround sound speakers.

Logitech Premium USB Headset 350 [EverythingUSB]

Actiontec Wireless Net Camera Reviewed
(Verdict: Worth It)

Actiontec Wireless Net Camera Reviewed
(Verdict: Worth It) 04/11/2005 08:18 AM

Hardware Pacers has an exceptionally detailed (albeit slightly fanboy-sounding) review of Actiontec's 54Mbps Wireless Network Camera, including a full rundown of the install process and loads of screenshots. Their overall impression was that the camera worked perfectly—it was simple access from a web browser and the video stream was great, at least at the 320x240 resolution. They noticed what they termed a dramatic slowdown when bumped up to 640x480, so it effectively becomes a question of exactly how much detail you want in your voyeuristic indulgences. Regardless, it's a small, easily mounted camera with a built-in microphone and email-capable motion detector for just about $200. Not too bad a deal.

Acti ontec 54Mbps Wireless Network Camera Review [HardwarePacers via I4U]
Product Page (In stock, $200) [Actiontec]

DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra-D Motherboard
Reviewed (Verdict: Look at the Colors!)

DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra-D Motherboard
Reviewed (Verdict: Look at the Colors!) 04/19/2005 11:04 AM

ExtremeTech dorks out with the LanParty UT nF4 Ultra-D, a geek-friendly motherboard with 4 SATA-II sockets, dual PCI Express graphics slots and plastic parts that glow under a blacklight.

There are a few odd design decisions, including the addition of 4x PCI Express slots which are rarely, if ever, used.

A Hard Core Gaming Motherboard—DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra-D [ExtremeTech]

Nokia Wireless Keyboard Reviewed
(Verdict: Sexy)

Nokia Wireless Keyboard Reviewed
(Verdict: Sexy) 03/19/2005 02:45 AM

Darla Mack has a review of Nokia's Wireless (Bluetooth) Keyboard, occasionally called the SU-8W. Overall, her impressions are that it's a sharp unit which obviously cuts (get it?) down your typing time. Pairing the keyboard to your phone initially involves installing software (included in a 32MB memory card installed into the keyboard) and selecting a four-digit number to secure the device. After that, subsequent uses are simple and Darla says the keys are easy to use once you get used to the feel of them. Her only qualms with the device are its lack of a carrying case and a smaller-than-preferred space bar. The keyboard is compatible with Nokia's 3230, 6260, 6630, 6680 and 7610 phones and includes a fold-out cradle to stand up your phone, for roughly $140.

Nokia Wireless Keyboard SU-8W Review [DarlaMack]
C atalog Page [L8shop]
Product Page [Nokia]

Tungsten E2 Official, Reviewed (Verdict:
Nice Palm, So-So PDA)

Tungsten E2 Official, Reviewed (Verdict:
Nice Palm, So-So PDA) 04/13/2005 08:57 AM

The PalmOne Tungsten E2 is official and it looks like a pretty decent deal for the price, although its conspicuous lack of Wi-Fi should not be understated. The E2 retains the 320 by 320 pixel display, although PalmOne claims it is "brighter" and "richer," and adds built-in Bluetooth for connectivity. The processor has gotten a bump, too, moving from a 126MHz OMAP to a 200MHz Xscale. Otherwise, it doesn't appear to be that different than the original Tungsten E. The best news is the price, which remains a reasonable $250.

Product Page [PalmOne]
PalmOne Tungsten E2 Review [CNet]
palmOne Tungsten E2 PDA Review [MobileTechReview]

Logitech MX518 Reviewed (Verdict: Great
for Gaming)

Logitech MX518 Reviewed (Verdict: Great
for Gaming) 03/30/2005 02:03 PM

Everything USB takes the Logitech MX518 Gaming Mouse out for a night of LAN gaming and says it's A-OK. The MX518 is the new model with the DPI changing switch on the side, making it easy to flip back and forth between quick movement with high DPI settings (up to 1600!) down to the low DPI settings for precision sniping, even without drivers. If you do install the drivers, though, be prepared to experience both a wide range of extended features and a bunch of confusing, not-quite-explained options. Still, it looks a winner for $50, even if it does look like the Edward James Olmos Edition.

Logitech MX518 Review [EverythingUSB]

Samsung SCH-S250 Reviewed (Verdict: 5MP
Cameraphones are Nice)

Samsung SCH-S250 Reviewed (Verdict: 5MP
Cameraphones are Nice) 04/14/2005 10:03 AM

Want to know what the pictures from a cameraphone with a 5-megapixel sensor look like? MobileBurn has a review of the Samsung SCH-S250, a Korea-only import that was one of the first from Samsung to feature a high-megapixel sensor (which means no optical zoom like the models announced this year). The pictures are okay, but there is a lot of noise and a lack of color depth to most of them, which bears out the thinking that more megapixels does not necessarily mean more better. Still, it's interesting to see some shots from the same sensors that will likely be in our phones next year.

Testing Out Samsung's 5 Megapixel SCH-S250 [MobileBurn]

Sleepwatcher Alarm Watch Reviewed
(Verdict: Fantastic)

Sleepwatcher Alarm Watch Reviewed
(Verdict: Fantastic) 03/24/2005 07:58 AM

We first mentioned the Sleeptracker watch earlier this month. Now, a watch designed to supposedly wake you up while at the lightest part of your sleep cycle leaving you completely rested sounds a lot like paid-advertising poppycock. Refreshingly enough, (note the subtle pun) the Sleeptracker more than lives up to its namesake and received quite a dreamy (omg again!) review from Gear Live.

They have developed a product that actually improves your quality of life. Waking up fully energized on a daily basis is just amazing. It is almost as if there is no lost time, and you just want to seize the day. The product did exactly what it said it would do.

Coming from an unbiased source, this is enough to make me really consider buying one, even though they're $150. Available now, read the full review at Gear Live.

Sleeptracker Watch Review [GearLive]
Catalog Page [SleepTracker]

Nikon D2X & Underwater Housing Reviewed
(Verdict: Awesome)

Nikon D2X & Underwater Housing Reviewed
(Verdict: Awesome) 03/17/2005 03:51 AM

Wetpixel has a review of both the Nikon D2X 12.4 MP camera and its Subal ND2 underwater housing. The pictures produced by the camera are vibrant and incredibly well-balanced, which you would expect for the $5,000 it costs. Still, reviewer Dr. Alex Mustard says that if you don't need very large output sizes for your shots, you can purchase a Nikon D70 for considerably less that produces rather decent underwater shots. The housing is designed very well and offers excellent ergonomics—an important consideration when on a dive. Dr. Mustard muses "It costs $5,000. And if you fill it up with water, it is worth $0," but goes on to say "in a word, [the D2X] is awesome." Some gorgeous pics accompany the review, so be sure to check them out. (Thanks, Eric!)

Nikon D2X and Subal ND2 Review [Wetpixel]

InFocus X3 Projector Reviewed (Verdict:
Higher Resolution, Same Problems)

InFocus X3 Projector Reviewed (Verdict:
Higher Resolution, Same Problems) 06/22/2005 01:57 AM

Robert Silva at About.com has reviewed the new InFocus X3 DLP front projector, the third update to the popular low-end line (there was an X1A before the X2). Silva likes it well enough—besides the update to 1,024 by 768 from 800 by 600 resolution, the X3 sounds a lot like the older models—complaining mainly about the DLP rainbows that are just going to happen in lower-end DLP units. For me, it's a promising sign that an affordable true 720p (1,280 by 720 pixel) DLP projector should be coming soon, which will probably be my stopgap purchase while waiting for 1080p DLP projectors to cost less than a car.

InFocus X3 DLP General Purpose Video Projector - Product Review [About]

NEC N840 Cameraphone Reviewed (Verdict:
Solid With a Nice Camera)

NEC N840 Cameraphone Reviewed (Verdict:
Solid With a Nice Camera) 04/19/2005 11:04 AM

The NEC N840, which we mentioned in November, is a big 2-megapixel cameraphone not yet available on American shores. It's quite beefy and underpowered but the camera and reception are excellent, according to MobileBurn.

It's nice to see that the phone has an externally accessible Mini-SD storage slot. That's the one thing that saves a lot of these high-megapixel monsters from extinction.

Review of NEC's 2 Megapixel N840 [MobileBurn]

High Gear Summit Watch Reviewed
(Verdict: Big But Handy)

High Gear Summit Watch Reviewed
(Verdict: Big But Handy) 04/18/2005 03:08 PM

Sea kayakers are a hearty breed, born of the sea and prone to yarring and yawping at storms. Whereas they once had to depend on arcane skills like "looking at clouds" and "watching the Weather Channel," the Summit watch's barometer allows them to tell when the storms are coming and even includes a digital compass and a little icon that tells you if it's going to be sunny or rainy. Plus it has a thermometer.

This review is aimed mostly at water sports enthusiasts but they've added just enough geekery to make it palatable to everyone.

Sea Kayaking Gear Review: HighGear Summit Watch [WetDawg]

iPod Camera Connector Reviewed (Verdict:
Good Enough, Barely)

iPod Camera Connector Reviewed (Verdict:
Good Enough, Barely) 04/01/2005 09:28 AM

iPodlounge reviews the official Apple iPod Camera Connector, the little clip-on bit that makes direct transference of pictures from your camera to your iPod photo. It's far from perfect, but it at least fixes the most glaring flaw of the iPod photo: the ability to copy pictures directly to your iPod and then view them, all without touching a computer. It's still slow, though, like the other media readers, and using the iPod like a portable data drive sucks down a lot of power quickly, too. For only $30, though, it's probably a no-brainer if you already have the iPod photo.

On the other hand, it doesn't work at all with previous generation iPods, so if you just want a dumb storage device with no display capability, you'll have to pick up something from Belkin (or similar).

Appl e iPod Camera Connector [iPodlounge]

Nikon Coolpix 5900 Reviewed (Verdict:
Good for Newbies)

Nikon Coolpix 5900 Reviewed (Verdict:
Good for Newbies) 04/18/2005 08:22 AM

The Nikon Coolpix 5900 is a step towards the consumer camera of the future. It doesn't offer a lot of finesse, like manual exposure control over aperture and shutter speeds, but it does offer things like 'Face-Priority AF,' (automatic focus on human faces) and D-Lighting (automatic contrast correction). Now they don't always work—the Face-Priority in particular has some problems picking the right face on which to focus—but when they do they can make taking high-quality pictures much easier for people that don't know what they're doing. That said, if you're already a photography champ, the $350 Nikon 5900 is only going to get in your way.

Photography Blog has a typically in-depth review with sample images and more.

N ikon Coolpix 5900 [PhotographyBlog]

Oakley Thump MP3 Sunglasses Reviewed
(Verdict: Good for Idiots)

Oakley Thump MP3 Sunglasses Reviewed
(Verdict: Good for Idiots) 04/06/2005 09:09 AM

I love that the first caption I see on I4U's review of the Oakley thump MP3 sunglasses is, "never ever wear it with the lenses flipped open - it is dorky!" I would like to expound on that thought a bit and encourage you to never, ever wear the Thumps at all—they are perhaps the ugliest sunglasses ever to fall off Predator's codpiece.

For $500, I will ride on your shoulders and bang 256MB worth of songs onto your ear piercings.

Oakley Thump MP3 Sunglasses Review [I4U]

Mvisto Pocket DivX Player Reviewed
(Verdict: Fantastic)

Mvisto Pocket DivX Player Reviewed
(Verdict: Fantastic) 04/19/2005 11:04 AM

I4U has a review on the Mvisto DivX Player. Very similar indeed to the Wigobyte Mvolt-100 Media Flash we mentioned last week, it lacks the Mvolt's soft, supple curves but includes a 40GB hard drive. (It may very well be an OEM derivative of the Wigobyte device, actually.) The Mvisto excels in playing back DivX files on your TV and can even read ISO files, allowing you to copy full DVDs with playback of all its special features. The on-screen interface actually looks quite charming, and it's powered through its USB port. (You use an adapter to plug into the mains when playing back on your TV.) The review is overall very favorable and the Mvisto is only $325 through MacPower distributors, although you have to contact them to purchase a unit for now.

Mvisto Review [I4U]
Product Page ($325, theoretically in stock) [Mvisto]

Mission M-Cube 5.1 Speakers Reviewed
(Verdict: Shallow Bottom, But Unique)

Mission M-Cube 5.1 Speakers Reviewed
(Verdict: Shallow Bottom, But Unique) 04/04/2005 10:45 AM

I can't say I was familiar with 'NXT' technology, apparently the technique that made all those slick-looking but poor-sounding flat-panel speakers possible a few years back. It seems the technology itself can actually be used to make some pretty decent sounds—sound that can be heard from a variety of listening positions, instead of right in front of the speakers. Mission is using NXT in their new M-Cube 5.1 home theater system and as reviewing get pretty high marks, spreading sound throughout rooms in a way that "needs to be heard to be believed," according to the reviewer. They are pricey, though, at £1,200—nearly $2,250.

MISSION M-CUBE [MirrorUK via Tech-Digest]

LG Flatron 1980Q Flat-Panel Reviewed
(Verdict: One Trick Pony)

LG Flatron 1980Q Flat-Panel Reviewed
(Verdict: One Trick Pony) 04/11/2005 08:18 AM

The technical specs of the LG Flatron 1980Q flat-panel monitor aren't that impressive, especially when considering the $800 price, but it does have one neat trick: the ability to be flipped over 150 degrees, automatically switching the image to show correctly past the apex. While that sounds perfectly useless at home, it could be useful on the desk of a bank executive, showing you exactly to what depth your will be penetrated by the terms your new mortgage.

It Bends, It Flips, It's a Monitor [HardwareCentral]

Archos Pocket Media Assistant PMA430
Reviewed (Verdict: Awesome, Mostly)

Archos Pocket Media Assistant PMA430
Reviewed (Verdict: Awesome, Mostly) 04/07/2005 09:22 AM

The Sharp Zaurus may no longer be with us, but that might not be all bad, since the hack-ready Archos PMA 430 is getting very decent reviews. It's a portable video device first like the AV420 before, but adding in a touch-screen interface and the same Qtopia Linux-based environment of the Zaurus. That means it's effectively a PDA with a 30GB hard drive with Wi-Fi and USB Host capability. If that doesn't give you some ideas, then I don't know what does.

The downside? Archos wants $800 for all that power, so you'd almost be better off buying a cheap, ultra-portable laptop.

Archos Pocket Media Assistant PMA430 [CNET via DAPrevie w]

Hercules Muse USB Sound Module Reviewed
(Verdict: Good for VOIP)

Hercules Muse USB Sound Module Reviewed
(Verdict: Good for VOIP) 03/29/2005 08:52 AM

PC Magazine has a review on the Hercules Muse Pocket USB external sound module. The unit offers paltry sound output, with noise troubles at -32dB and a problem switching from 5.1 mode to stereo. The unit also suffers from a lack of a MIDI synthesizer and requires third-party software to play multichannel DVDs, further hurting its claim as a 5.1-channel device. The Muse's primary focus appear to be as a VOIP device, with Hercules including a headset and Skype on its software CD. The Muse's convenient volume and mute controls as well as high sound quality on calls redeemed the device at least partially, and it might make a good addition if you already have a soundcard as an out-of-the-box VOIP device. It's available for about $80.

When did that brand get resurrected, anyway? I used a Hercules Muse sound card over five years ago.

Hercules Muse Pocket USB Review [PCMagazine]

SwissBit Victorinox retroALOX 1GB
Reviewed (Verdict: Worth Its Weight in
Nazi Gold)

SwissBit Victorinox retroALOX 1GB
Reviewed (Verdict: Worth Its Weight in
Nazi Gold) 06/24/2005 04:03 PM

I had not realized that Victorinox had upgraded their Swissbit USB key/Swiss Army knife combo, but Trusted Reviews got their hands on one and proclaim it a winner. It's got a new look, obviously (the new model is called the 'retroALOX' but I don't know my knife history well enough to tell you if that means it's based on an older knife or not), but also is a USB 2.0 part, making for much faster fills of its 1GB storage.

Plus, I happen to think that Victorinox has the best pocket scissors around, even compared to the Fiskars that come on the Gerber multitools.

Oh, I almost forgot the best part. You can take out of the USB key now, meaning you don't have to leave your data at home when you got on a plane. Smart. Update: And apparently, not a new feature. Still!

Swissbit SWISSMEMORY| Victorinox retroALOX [TrustedReviews]

Chase Durer Special Forces Underwater
Demolition Team Chrono Reviewed
(Verdict: Beefy)

Chase Durer Special Forces Underwater
Demolition Team Chrono Reviewed
(Verdict: Beefy) 06/24/2005 04:01 PM

Friend-of-Gizmodo Scott reviewed his heavy-duty Chase Durer Chronograph, a big, beefy quartz thing that I actually saw on the wrist of Greg Kihn last night. He was one of the contestants of Beat Me Baby One More Time or whatever it's called.

But I digress. This is a quartz chrono with PVD coated body and bracelet. It's water resistant to 1000 feet, meaning you can go diving for the lost treasure of Atlantis. In terms of underwater demolition, however, the watch does not have a remote timer/detonator even though it certainly does look like it should have one.

Review - Chase Durer Special Forces Underwater Demolition Team Chronograph [WristWatchReview.com]

UCO Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker
Reviewed (Verdict: It Makes Ice Cream)

UCO Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker
Reviewed (Verdict: It Makes Ice Cream) 06/24/2005 04:01 PM

It's going to be 95 degrees—Fahrenheit, you Euro-hippies lovely Europeans [Joel pointed out I'm mean to Europe. It's because I want to go back there so badly. And we always strike out at the things we love, don't we - John]—this weekend so here's a bit of fun for you and your dirty friends. The CO Play and Freeze, which I actually received from some friends, is kind of a soccer ball that makes ice cream. You put ice and salt in the outer ball and a lot of cream and stuff inside the metal canister. Then you kick it around until you get a semi-solid lump of frozen cream stuff. It's a nice little bit DIY although it doesn't store very well and often falls onto my head when I open the closet.

UCO Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker Review [Pocket-Lint]

Jabra BT800 Bluetooth Headset Reviewed
(Verdict: Lots of Features, Lots of
Bulk)

Jabra BT800 Bluetooth Headset Reviewed
(Verdict: Lots of Features, Lots of
Bulk) 04/05/2005 09:18 AM

For the life of me, I can't figure out how to configure my phone to pair with my Bluetooth headset and still ring, which means I miss a lot of calls if I'm not paying attention. The (relatively) new Jabra BT800 headset has a built-in vibrate mode that would alleviate that problem, while giving me another: embarrassment. While the BT800 does feature an integrated LCD Caller ID read-out, it's also sort of huge, which makes my likelihood of wearing it anywhere outside of a tech convention pretty slim. If you don't mind the bulkiness, though, Mobileburn gives it high marks, with good battery life, excellent noise-cancelling features, and decent sound quality.

abra's BT800 Bluetooth Headset [MobileBurn]

Fujitsu Announces Hybrid Ethernet and
Metro ADM Chip for Gigabit Ethernet and
PDH Transport

Fujitsu Announces Hybrid Ethernet and
Metro ADM Chip for Gigabit Ethernet and
PDH Transport 02/05/2005 09:28 PM
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) today rolls out its ETHOS (ETHernet Over SDH/SONET) device, a pioneering product for full-rate Gigabit Ethernet and E1/DS1 access in Metro and Access networks, designed in collaboration with AimCom, a leading-edge design and development company specialising in Next Generation Carrier Class Optical Networking, based in The Netherlands. [PRWEB Feb 3, 2005]

Shark Tank: Let it slow, let it slow,
let it slow

Shark Tank: Let it slow, let it slow,
let it slow 12/25/2003 12:48 AM
It's the height of the holiday shopping season, and this pilot fish is hitting a big computer and electronics store to stuff his stockings. Then comes time for him to check out.

Availability of the PC adaptor should be
addressed or an alt

Availability of the PC adaptor should be
addressed or an alt 08/15/2004 11:14 AM
TechTree Aug 15 2004 2:46PM GMT
Grok Description matches for Cornixed AV Powerline Ethernet Adaptor Reviewed (Verdict: Expensive and Slow)
GrokA matches for Cornixed AV Powerline Ethernet Adaptor Reviewed (Verdict: Expensive and Slow)

Allied Telesyn unveils 10/100/1000
switch with 10G uplinks

Allied Telesyn unveils 10/100/1000
switch with 10G uplinks 04/08/2005 04:23 AM
Signaling the continued slide in 10 Gigabit Ethernet pricing, Allied Telesyn this week launched Layer 3 Gigabit Ethernet switches with optional 10G Ethernet uplinks.

"Powerline"

"Powerline" 08/05/2004 09:15 PM

Powerline

Powerline 07/12/2004 01:03 AM
(Link)

powerlineblog.com/archives/007135.php
track this site | 4 links

Allied Telesyn, Sphere team on
enterprise VoIP

Allied Telesyn, Sphere team on
enterprise VoIP 07/18/2004 06:52 AM
Allied Telesyn, Sphere team on enterprise VoIP

napps.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0715sphere.html
track this site | 3 links

Virtual RS-232 RS-485 Powerline Ports

Virtual RS-232 RS-485 Powerline Ports 12/19/2004 03:30 PM
Ariane Controls is please to announce the availability of the RS-232 and RS-485 interfaces modules. With these new modules it is now possible to interconnect devices through standard serial communication ports via the electrical power line. The RS232 and RS485 interface module work seamlessly simulating a physical wire between the devices. [PRWEB Dec 19, 2004]

New 'Instant Ethernet' Powerline Device
Unveiled

New 'Instant Ethernet' Powerline Device
Unveiled 03/20/2003 01:05 PM
Phonex Broadband announced a new "powerline" device that, for the first time, does not require special software drivers for installation. Powerline connections employ the unused bandwidth in standard electrical wires, allowing powerlines to pull "double duty" as both power sources and network ports.

Broadband over Powerline Moves into Real
Trials

Broadband over Powerline Moves into Real
Trials 06/14/2004 10:14 AM
Bits over juice starts to take off in trials, though its future is still uncertain: A Washington state public utility is working with a private Internet provide in an inexpensive 60-day trial to see how well BPL actually works, and whether customers will find it interesting. Nationwide, a few dozen trials have about 2,000 actual customers. The future of the technology depends on the real cost and the real speed when it's deployed in the field. Unlike unloaded copper wire, which has known properties, the numbers of systems and the distances involved in BPL add variables that need performance testing. Broadband has to avoid truck rolls to houses to keep costs affordable....

MacWireless offers Power over Ethernet
solution

MacWireless offers Power over Ethernet
solution 06/03/2004 08:47 AM
Apple's newest AirPort Extreme Base Station can operate usi ng Power over Ethernet (PoE), making it possible for IT personnel in corporations, schools and other institutional settings to install the device in locations that lack easy access to an AC outlet, such as crawlspaces or areas above suspended ceilings. That presumes they're using an Ethernet switch or hub that can deliver PoE, however, which many businesses don't have. Now MacWireless offers its own PoE solution comprising a pair of adapters that convert a standard Ethernet cable into one that carries power as well. The US$69.98 interface works over up to 330 feet of Ethernet cable.

Japanese Firms Claim 170Mb/s Service Via
Powerline

Japanese Firms Claim 170Mb/s Service Via
Powerline 03/14/2005 05:02 PM
Slashdot Mar 13 2005 5:55AM GMT

Japanese Giants Claim 170Mb/s Service
Via Powerline

Japanese Giants Claim 170Mb/s Service
Via Powerline 03/14/2005 05:56 PM

North American Broadband Over Powerline
Company Secures Commitment With China
Worth Over $50 Million

North American Broadband Over Powerline
Company Secures Commitment With China
Worth Over $50 Million 06/22/2005 02:09 AM
3One Networks Inc, a leader in Powerline Communications technology is conducting a beta deployment of its Power Grid Management Solution in China with one of the largest power companies in the world. Within the first two years following the successful completion of the beta deployment, 3One has commitments for additional systems in excess of $50 million (USD). [PRWEB Jun 22, 2005]

DS2 Dominates World of Powerline
Pavilion at CeBIT 2005; Multiple
Suppliers Show Case DS2 Based 200Mbps
PLC Eq

DS2 Dominates World of Powerline
Pavilion at CeBIT 2005; Multiple
Suppliers Show Case DS2 Based 200Mbps
PLC Eq 03/17/2005 03:48 AM
Business Wire India via Hindustan Times Mar 16 2005 1:30AM GMT

HomePlug Powerline Alliance Showcases
HomePlug AV Technology at CeBIT 2005
(17/3/2005)

HomePlug Powerline Alliance Showcases
HomePlug AV Technology at CeBIT 2005
(17/3/2005) 03/17/2005 03:48 AM
Hidden Wires Mar 17 2005 6:17AM GMT

10-Gbit Ethernet Adapter Debuts at Intel

10-Gbit Ethernet Adapter Debuts at Intel 05/03/2004 05:56 PM
The server adapter, designed for short-range distances of less than 300 meters, works within the constraints of standard server slots as well as using the multimode fiber connections prevalent among data centers.

Renasis Announces Release of POE30-24:
1000 mW Power-Over-Ethernet RF Amplifier

Renasis Announces Release of POE30-24:
1000 mW Power-Over-Ethernet RF Amplifier 02/01/2005 10:07 PM
POE30-24 Power Over Etheernet Amplifier Saves Time and Money When Installing Wireless Local Area Networks [PRWEB Jan 20, 2005]

New: Small Tree 10 Gigabit Ethernet
adapter card

New: Small Tree 10 Gigabit Ethernet
adapter card 05/12/2004 09:54 AM
Small Tree Communications released a 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter card for Mac OS X using the Intel 82597EX 10GbE controller.

Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet
Adapter Review

Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet
Adapter Review 06/29/2004 08:42 AM

Ethernet switch demand up, prices down

Ethernet switch demand up, prices down 02/13/2004 05:10 PM
ZDNet Feb 13 2004 9:37PM GMT

Switch AppleTalk between AirPort and
Ethernet

Switch AppleTalk between AirPort and
Ethernet 04/04/2005 11:17 AM
AppleTalk can only be active on one port at a time, so if you switch from wired to wireless often, it can become a bit annoying to switch locations or to manually modify the AppleTalk settings everytime you change. AppleTalk ...

Plummeting prices hit Ethernet switch
firms

Plummeting prices hit Ethernet switch
firms 02/16/2004 08:03 AM
ZDNet UK Feb 16 2004 12:13PM GMT

Ethernet switch start-up rakes in $75
million

Ethernet switch start-up rakes in $75
million 06/07/2004 05:38 PM

Study: Ethernet switch market on
comeback trail

Study: Ethernet switch market on
comeback trail 05/20/2004 02:32 PM

3Com launches new Power Over Ethernet
switch, phones

3Com launches new Power Over Ethernet
switch, phones 03/13/2003 10:16 AM
3Com Corp. is launching new Power Over Ethernet gear to reduce the need for power outlets.

ReplayTV's Bait And Switch Pricing

ReplayTV's Bait And Switch Pricing 12/26/2003 01:45 PM
Let's say you're a company that has just recently bought< /a> a struggling PVR maker like ReplayTV. You know that there's a lot of competition out there this holiday season, coming from all different directions, such as market definer TiVo and all the various cable and satellite TV providers. So what do you do? You drop your prices to a very low price and put bright green stickers on the boxes saying that the first three years of service are free. When people call you up and ask you if this great deal is for real, you tell them "absolutely". Next, you let people snap up these boxes in short order realizing that at $150 and no service fees for 3 years, they're getting quite a deal. Then, just as they've wrapped up the wonderful gift for their loved ones, you put out a press release saying that the retailers screwed up, and you will be charging a $13/month service fee after all - despite the bright green stickers. In most places that's called bait & switch or simply lying, but the folks behind ReplayTV seem to think it's a way to get good holiday sales.

Ethernet switch firms fall victim to
falling prices

Ethernet switch firms fall victim to
falling prices 02/13/2004 05:13 PM
Demand for Ethernet switches is growing, but drastically falling prices are making it difficult for vendors to increase their revenue, according to new research.

Logitech unveils the MX 1000 Laser
Cordless Mouse

Logitech unveils the MX 1000 Laser
Cordless Mouse 09/01/2004 06:05 AM
Logitech today announced the Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse, which it says is the world's first mouse to use laser illumination and tracking...

FirmTek unveils external Serial ATA
adapter for Mac

FirmTek unveils external Serial ATA
adapter for Mac 09/15/2004 07:41 AM
FirmTek today announced its new external SeriTek/1SE2 Serial ATA PCI host adapter for the Mac...

Apple unveils adapter to link iPod to
BMWs

Apple unveils adapter to link iPod to
BMWs 06/23/2004 01:05 AM
Content.sina.com - Tue Jun 22, 08:51 am GMT

Apple Unveils Adapter to Link iPod to
Some BMWs

Apple Unveils Adapter to Link iPod to
Some BMWs 06/21/2004 06:47 PM

Cornixed AV Powerline Ethernet Adaptor Reviewed (Verdict: Expensive and Slow)

The following phrases have been identified by the grok system as matching this entry: allied telesyn unveils 10/100/1000 switch with 10g uplinks ethos sdh pricing macwireless powerline network adapter powerline ethernet