ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-EU1X-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook - 4 Hour Battery Life Review

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(More customer reviews)All in all, the 10005ha is probably the best all around netbook you can buy. While the toshiba and the samsung have better keyboards, and the toshiba has a better mouse...the samsungs speakers are much improved...each oft hose has major flaws (toshibas battery sticks out of the case and their speaker is on the BOTTOM...Samsung used a glossy screen that reflects direct light and becomes unwatchable unless shaded! Plus its a 270 prcoessor not a 280, and no BT).
If you want the biggest and baddest power netbook out there, the asus is it.

Just not THIS one. There are various flavors, all called 1005HA. You really WANT the bigger one. You get BluteTooth, you get a 10.5 hour battery instead of this measly 3 cell 4 hour thing, and you also get a real camera (1.3mp, good enough for skype chatting at decent level...the 0.3 that this stripped down model comes with I wouldnt OWN! Thats designed output resolution size smaller than a PDA screen!!! Cellphones have better cameras!)
Yes, I strongly recommend the asus...they make a good machine. Anything with an N270 or 280 really isnt half bad. Unfortunately newer netbookz will all start getting the cheaper slower Z processors...thank you for that INTEL....so if you are planning to do MORE Than email or chat...wanna run some programs...or god forbid MULTITASK, the newer 12 inch netbooks will all be SLOWER! The few already available all have Z processors, and all the future ones are scheduled to. Its a chip thing. Plus the N's like the 1005ha are ridiculously power efficient...hence the longer battery lyfe.

But a 1005 (or a 1008, less battery, but prettier with covered side ports...if that matters to you)
You cant go wrong with a toshiba either. I liked mine, the keyboard was great, so was the mousepad...samsung also...but you try all 3, and you realizee mostly identical after practice....but the asus has better performance in all the unfelt but measurables. longer battery, beter performance (slightly) bluetooth, Wireless N, its the one. At least for the moment.

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Go anywhere in style with the Eee PC 1005HA-E.Weighing less than 2.5lbs, the 1005HA-E is the perfect on-the-go companion.With built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, a .3MP webcam and Digital Array Mic, you can stay connected with friends wherever you go.The 1005HA-E's 92%-scaled ergonomic keyboard and Multi-Touch touchpad make it a breeze to type and navigate through content. And a brilliant 10.1 inch matte LCD display makes viewing documents and multimedia content more comfortable than ever.With its sleek curves and smooth lines, the Eee PC 1005HA-E offers superior style without sacrificing performance or mobility.

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XO Vision XO9013T 3-Inch Touchscreen In-Dash DVD/CD/MP3 Receiver with Built-in TV Tuner, USB/SD Inputs, and Detachable Face Review

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(More customer reviews)I have owned this product for about 6 months and it works great for me. The music and the images are clear. I did not like that mine did not come with bluetooth when I thought it did, and the touchscreen is not that good.

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This in-dash DVD receiver features a wide 3-inch touchscreen display and iPod compatibility. Enjoy support for most of your media with DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW/CD/MP3/MP4/WMA playback, along with an AM/FM radio and front-panel USB and SD card inputs. Includes a detachable face with carrying pouch for convenience and security, and cranks out 45W x 4 max power. A perfect replacement for your stock stereo.

Mobile Theater The XO9013T's 3-inch touch screen display provides a crystal clear image, allowing you to watch movies in the comfort of your car in a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio.
You can also personalize your display by choosing from four available wallpapers.
Multiple Formats The XO9013T will play just about anything, with support for DVDs DVD-R/RW, CD, MP3, MP4, WMA and AVI formats.
The included Zpodlink cable allows you to connect your iPod, iPod Video or any other MP3 player--watch your videos right on the screen and listen to your music through your car speakers.
You can also view your favorite JPEG images, from disc or from a USB device or SD Card.
USB/SD The USB port and SD Card slot are conveniently located on the front of the unit allowing you to easily play your songs off your flash drive or SD cards.
Detachable Face The face is fully detachable so you can take it out with you when you leave your car. Includes carrying case.
Remote Control Control the XO9013T with the included wireless remote, giving you access to all unit features, or directly from the unit itself.
One-Year Warranty The XO9013T is covered for a year after purchase.
What's in the Box XO Vision XO9013T receiver, Carrying case for detachable face, Mounting bracket, Wiring harness, Mounting hardware, User's manual

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Powermonkey Explorer Review

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(More customer reviews)My Powermonkey Explorer broke after 3 uses. The joint at which the electrical cord leaves the battery pack was twisted slightly when the Explorer was in the bag provided, causing an internal electrical disconnection. Moreover, it's impossible to fix the disconnection because the battery pack is enclosed in molded plastic that cannot be opened. This is incredibly poor British engineering and construction for a $100+ battery pack. It failed me on a trip 6 hours away. The idea of taking it to the Arctic or rainforest, as advertised by the company, is ridiculous.


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3" Touch Screen In-dash Review

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(More customer reviews)I looked for some time when I was making my purchasing decision. Since I am not in the business and don't buy a lot of these it took a while to locate a unit in my price range with the features I wanted. When I located the XO Vision unit it had all of my desired features, but I knew nothing of the company or product quality and there were very few reviews available on the Internet.
Many times the old adage "you get what you pay for" turns out to be true, and when looking to save money quality is sacrificed. This turned out not to be the case with the XO1915BT. I am pleased with my purchase.
I installed this in my 06 Tacoma after purchasing a dash kit. Install went well, but I won't bore you with those details other than to say this unit had decent documentation and a good wiring diagram affixed to the top of the unit. The manual was very mild chineglish and could have been clearer on things like connecting the brake and tranny wires for the DVD playback feature.
The quality is good. The removable face is a nice feature. It is not motorized but of good quality and works well. The radio has good sound and plenty of volume. I installed 6x9 Pioneer 3 ways in the front and 6.5 Pioneer 3 ways in the back, so my rating is based off decent speakers. I love Toyota, but their speakers are a weak spot and will not stand up to anything more than the stock stereo.
My days of constant really loud rock have passed, but I have cranked it up a few times and it seems to do well without distortion. I also listen to a lot of jazz and some classical and it all sounds good through this unit. There are the usual balance, fader, bass and treble adjustments, with limited EQ features and a couple of EQ presets. These are all accessed through the touch screen. The menu system is well laid out and intuitive. I didn't need the manual to figure out how to use the thing, which was good. The USB is front mounted, but you have to flip the faceplate down to access the SD and DVD slot. This is not problematic but worth mentioning.
The LCD screen is very clear, bright and well defined. It has nice resolution. It is as good as any radio unit I looked at while shopping. DVD playback works well. I have not tried video from SD so I can't comment but the docs say it is supported. When I bought the unit I was looking for a better than factory stereo with MP3 support and Bluetooth as well as an LCD that would support a backup camera. I got much more, but the core features I was looking for are well supported and I would purchase this radio again after having owned it.
If anyone at XO Vision reads this, a nice feature that seems like it would not be hard to implement, would be to allow the user to set the wallpaper from a picture file of choice instead of the three or four stock selections.
The Bluetooth works well with my Iphone and my wife's LG. Configuration and synching of both phones was really easy. If I have been disappointed at all, it would be with the volume of the Bluetooth. When connected I find I have to turn the volume up for a good conversation, then back down when I disconnect. Since I am new to the unit it may be a settings issue and not something with the unit. In any case, it is not a big deal for me.
Overall, the XOvision XO1915BT is very nice. It won't be mistaken for a $1,400 Pioneer, but the quality is good and there is nothing cheesy or cheap about it. It sounds good in my truck, the features are well implemented and clearly laid out. It has delivered on the feature set advertised. I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend the unit to others.


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HP Ipaq HX2700 Series Pocket Pc Review

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(More customer reviews)Purchase the HP Ipaq 2700 for $249 about a month ago. I was going to upgrade my phone but my renewal date was a year away and a comparable phone was going to cost me in excess of $500. I have no complaints with the hardware. The Windows 5 mobile software could be better (i.e., better internet, better games, etc.) but is quite adequate for my needs. I make extensive use of MS Outlook, especially the calendar.
Is this an alternative to the iphone? Of course not, it's an older technology. It's a PDA and a very good.

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Sony NVU73T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)So I am in the market to get a GPS unit for my car, so after reading some mixed reviews about the Sony NV-U73 I decided to try it out for myself. Now I am a Sony fanboy so I was hoping that this product would do very well for me, especially since it was on sale at the local Radio Shack.
Let me start with the good:
1. Beautiful display, bright with lots of contrast.
2. POI's come up on the GPS as their logo...ie If I was driving past a Citgo, the Citgo logo was displayed on the GPS...very cool.
3. The unit will tell you which lane to be in for complicated exits/turns on the highway. When you approach an exit, it goes split screen and shows you which lane you should be in to take the exit.
4. Fairly accurate to tell you when turns are approaching.
5. Displays your speed.
6. Mount is very stick and can move in 360 degrees.
Now the cons:
1. SLOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW...slow to pick up a signal, super slow to re-calculate a route, and tooth-numbing slow to calculate an initial route.
2. It can't handle hypens, ie if a house number is 28-44, your out of luck cause it can't find that.
3. Minor gripe, but the RDS antenna is not built in.
4. Takes forever to search POI's by name.
5. Mapping alogrithem is good, but not the best out there.
So, if this unit wasn't so slow it would be great. But it was taking about 3-4 minutes to acquire the GPS satellites, and another 2-3 minutes to calculate routes. Not helpful if you're in an unfamiliar location.
There are better units out there for the same price. Get one of those.

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Travel with confidence. The widescreen 4.3" touch-panel display of the nav-u portable navigation system provides turn-by-turn directions to where you want to. Traveling to your favorite destinations has never been this easy. The nav-u portable satellite navigation system has a sleek, 4.3" touch-panel widescreen display and can be easily mounted in almost any vehicle. The brilliant, high-contrast full-color graphical interface is also intuitive and fun to use. Whether it's a trip across town or cross-country road trip, the nav-u satellite navigation system makes the perfect travel companion. The NV-U73T comes pre-loaded with Map Content covering the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Enjoy powerful, portable navigation out of the box! With a touch-screen comes control via simple, on-screen finger movements. Commonly used commands such as ‘take me home' may be accessed by gesturing an inverted ‘V' on the screen versus paging through numerous menu screens. Step away from standard GPS mapping and towards a more complete navigation solution. Real Time Traffic Information radio reception allows the NV-U73T to constantly monitor relevant traffic conditions and automatically re-route you around trouble spots! Dual View capability displays dynamic route information, in addition to the conventional map view, to provide an even clearer view of what's around the bend or in a highway merge scenario, which Junction to take. TTS (Text to Speech) also eliminates second-guessing when making a turn; the device utilizes spoken commands ensuring you are able to follow the directions by street names.

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Logitech PS3/PS2 Wireless Drum Controller Review

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(More customer reviews)The first set I got had a lot of trouble with double hits on the cymbals and the occasional cross talk, but I got a replacement shipped to me from Logitech and after playing for a couple of weeks it shows no signs of developing the same problem. Since my set now works well, I've changed my rating from 2 stars to 4 stars.
Pros:
Easy initial setup, takes about 15 minutes.
Adjustable.
Doesn't take up a huge amount of space and can be folded.
Full 5 note lanes in Guitar Hero.
Pads seem pretty durable.
Wireless.
Cons:
Cymbals don't have any vibration dampers like felt, it is hard plastic resting on hard plastic. I've verified using the music studio that I occasionally get double hits and even cross talk (hit the yellow cymbal and the orange goes off as well).
Cymbals have a fixed set of angles, which simplifies setup but limits adjustability.
Louder than Ion Drum Rocker, probably about the same as Guitar Hero World Tour set.
While it is adjustable the compact size limits pad placement. There is only about a extra inch of space between the pads for them to moved side to side. The cymbals have to be in the center, there is not enough space on the bar to move even one cymbal outside the drum pads.
The connecting wires are thinner than I would like, probably not a problem for the pads and cymbals, but might be for the foot pedal, which can easily be dragged when moving the drums.


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The Logitech Wireless Drum Controller lets you unleash your inner rockstar. Fully adjustable drum heads and cymbals positioned to fit your reach and suit your style, helping you play faster and better.

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Canon i70 Color Bubble Jet Printer Review

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(More customer reviews)THE GOOD:
(1) This is the lightest printer among peers. HP's 450cbi, the closest alternative in my book, is nowhere near as portable as the i70.
(2) Prints directly from a digicam. I use Canon's G3, and I can now share photo print-outs straight from my camera. No need to lug my laptop around.
(3) The battery life is great, don't believe detractors. IN general you don't need the battery -- that is only for outings, for those occasions when you just have to print out something while sitting by the lake.
(4) It is FAST! Especially for color prints, it outpaces my full-blown HP laserjet.
(5) It is QUIET. You'll have to get used to its noiseless printing. First time round, I had to check to make sure the paper was printed on.
(6) Is a breeze to INSTALL. Something you can expect from Canon, of course.
(7) Works with both Windows and Macs.
CAVEATS:
(1) The photo quality may not appeal to shutterbugs, especially if NOT printed on photo paper, but for general office workers with little desk space or for folks with a packed travel roster, the i70 is a pretty safe bet.
(2) The ink costs may sky rocket quite quickly if you print colored stuff often. If, like me, your general printing is B&W, then this is a great buy.
(3) The price, especially if you buy the battery pack. But there are deals if you know where to look.
SUMMARY:
A great overall printer, definitely if you need to carry one around. I purchase Epson's photo paper (not Canon's own) for color shots and the i70 prints more than adequately. The speed, the quality and the quietness make it one of my top printer recommendations -- all things said, even better than a regular inkjet.

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A versatile mobile color printer, the Canon i70 Color Bubble Jet sports an attractive price tag and is ideal for a wide variety of home and office uses. A 600 x 600 dpi resolution (black) and 4,800 x 1,200 dpi resolution (color) combine with a total of 704 print nozzles, resulting in bright, crisp, and detailed prints. Print speeds are an impressive 13 ppm black and white and 9 ppm color, while photo-quality 4-by-6-inch prints take as little as 90 seconds.
The i70 connects via USB, parallel port, or CompactFlash Type II slot for easy interfacing, and can print from supported Canon digital cameras and camcorders, with or without a PC. Both Windows and Mac drivers are included; and for PCs only, wireless infrared IrDA printing is available with Windows-compatible devices.
Truly mobile, this lightweight printer (4 pounds) fits nicely into most briefcases, measuring just 12.4 by 6.9 by 2.0 inches when closed. You can run the i70 with the included AC power adapter or buy the optional Portable Kit, which includes a lithium ion battery rated for 450 pages per 2-hour charge and a battery holder to charge the battery while attached to the printer.
A wide variety of paper types are supported, including envelopes, glossy photo paper, matte photo paper, transparencies, T-shirt transfers, and more, as well as paper sizes from 4 by 6 inches to A4. The software bundle helps users get the most out of their prints with Easy-PhotoPrint, Easy-WebPrint, PhotoRecord, ZoomBrowser EX, ImageBrowser, and PhotoStitch. Epson also provides a one-year limited warranty.
What's in the BoxPrinter, sheet feeder, paper tray, power supply and cord, BCI-15 black ink tank, BCI-15 color ink tank, software and driver CD-ROM, instructions, setup and warranty information

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Kenwood KDC-BT838U - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

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(More customer reviews)This head unit is well worth the price. I am anti-iPod guy and this unit having an USB connection made it very easy to "digitally" connect a hard drive. I now have a 200 gig hard drive (~$150) in my vehicles, never with out a type of music. This unit allows you to navigate the hard drive from the units screen. With the provided software, you can make playlist or just add music to the hard drive. It also has bluetooth, so you can also stream music that way. The unit also come with hands free, there is a mic with a cord on it long enough to put anywhere. If your state is (or has) mandated hands free devices and you are not one to want to look like a cyborg, this unit will comply with the law. It mutes the music, diplays the caller, push a knob and your connected. Once hooked up, everything is automatic, just get into your car, start it and it connects. It will download your phonebook to the unit so you can dial from the unit. Here is another good thing, ever leave home without your cell phone, well you wont ever again, tells you not connected within a minute of starting your vehicle. I would definitly recommend this to my poorest friend, well worth the investment.

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Planet Audio P9715B 5-Inch Single-Din In-Dash Receiver with Motorized Slide-Down Widescreen Touchscreen Monitor Review

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(More customer reviews)Although the radio appears to have great features like a top of the line radio, there were some defects in the unit. Note: it was professionally installed. The volume control did not work adequately. When shut all of the way off, you still heard music. Turning up the volume, you nearly maxed output through the speakers. The bluetooth functionality did not work well either. There was constant static. In addition, when you tried to stream music, there was a constant hum on low volume. Subsequently, I returned this item and purchased another brand completely (Soundstorm - no issues with this unit with one exception - while using bluetooth, the receiver on the phone hears some static).

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WizCom E04087 QuickLink-Pen Elite Scanner Review

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(More customer reviews)I received QuickLink Elite pen today and have been testing it for the past 6 hours. Now I am finished, I would like to share my thought about this device with you. The box came with the content as described by Amazon. My surprise was that the 135 page color manual, I thought those were extinct! That is in addition to the PDF one in the CD.
Installation on Windows XP Pro. SP2 (Tablet edition) went smoothly, the instructions on the self run CD were easy to follow. You basically install the driver for the cable [serial at the device connector to USB (II in my case) at the PC end], then you install the desktop application which is a very basic utility that lists the files on your pen, and allows you to communicate, change settings, transfer data, and add software to your pen. Once you install the software, you will be asked to connect the device to the computer to start the communication. Initially I had a problem connecting to the device because it conflicted with Bluetooth serial ports. So I disabled the Bluetooth serial ports and removed some extra unused serial COM ports from the computer device manager. I reinstalled the pen drive from the CD, restarted the computer but before I connect again I did one more IMPORTANT step that is not mentioned anywhere. You Baud rate on the pen (go to settings, communications, baud rate) must be the same as your computer COM port (go to device manager, right click on the new COM port), choose a rate, in my case 57600 worked best. After that I managed to exchange files, install software to the pen. In addition, It tried the IrDA with my laptop, the text file was transferred instantly. PDA (iPAQ) recognize the device but transfer of files needed third-party software (Peacmaker $15). In their website, they say there will be an upgrade where third party will not be needed.
After that scanning the text went smoothly, I also scanned small image ( max 8 mm wide), installed the tables software on the pen, scanned directly on the PC ... all went very well. I scanned a type font 10 textbook, out of the total 543, 24 were mis-recognized (some missing one letter, some had capital letter in the middle, while others were just a mess). That is about 95.5% accuracy, not bad, considering that I get about 85% with a flatbed scanner. It takes me about 5 to 6 seconds per line (about 5 minutes per page), so this is truly for text snippets rather than a whole page scanning. Image scanning is useful for signatures, Greek letters, etc. Quality is just OK, you can also scan tables, business cards (to outlook), URLs (get sent to favorites) with the included add-ins on the CD, and bar codes (additional downloads from the wizcom website). All in all I will recommend this device for students, researchers, & people who type slow or rather collect different set of texts from books, journals, etc. It fits 1000 pages internal memory, besides scanning directly to your word processor. It has built in English dictionary, good for language students. It also read aloud any text that is scanned (I do not see the use of this one) but the pen comes with earphone with volume controls.
All in all, this pen turn out as it was described and I think it is a keeper. Thanks for reading this long review and I hope it helped someone.


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The QuickLink-Pen Elite is an updated version of the very popular and successful QuickLink-Pen, providing users with new and improved electronic note-taking capabilities. The QuickLink-Pen Elite reads notes and definitions aloud, beams to smart phones as well as to PDAs and PCs, includes English dictionary definitions, and connects via USB to your PC.
Used just like a yellow highlighter, the QuickLink-Pen Elite lets you collect electronically notes from any printed text–anytime, anywhere. The QuickLink-Pen Elite is ideal for students, doctors, business people, or researchers who need the ability to quickly and easily take notes whenever and wherever they might be–in a library, on a plane, or in a business meeting.
The QuickLink-Pen Elite comes complete with several useful applications. The scan and store feature allows you to store up to 1,000 pages of text; transfer stored text to PDAs (PalmOS and WinCE), Smart phones (PalmOS and Windows Mobile 2003), or PCs via IRDA Infra red connection; transfer stored notes to PCs via USB connection (and automatically create Microsoft Word documents); and read the scanned notes aloud using the text to speech function, either through the built-in speaker or headphones. Additional scanning languages are supplied on CD-ROM and include German, Swedish, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and French. Scan and define allows you to display the definition of any word in the notes, using the included American Heritage Concise Dictionary, while the scan to PC function allows real-time scanning directly via the USB connection into any Windows based application, with the scanned text appearing at the cursor point. With image capture, you can scan and store small images that can then be transferred to a PC at a later time.
Handy applications are supplied on CD-ROM for optional installation. Address Book scans business cards and synchronizes with a desktop or PDA address book, such as Outlook. Table Builder scans data in spreadsheet format and transfers it directly to Microsoft Excel on a PC. Internet Links scans URLs (web addresses) and transfers them directly to your Internet Explorer favorites list.
What's in the Box QuickLink Pen Elite, USB cable, getting started guide, user's manual, CD-ROM (includes installations for add-ons, QuickLink-Pen Elite Desktop application, USB driver, and free CharacterEyes software), Pen case with Opticard, two AAA batteries, earphones with volume control

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HTC Magic Android Google 2 Unlocked SmartPhone--International Version with NoU.S. Warranty (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm an Apple guy. Always have been. I'm writing this on a MacBook Pro connected to an AirPort. I have an iPod, an Apple coffee mug, t-shirts from the various Macworld Expos I've attended, and even an Apple sticker on my car. So when it came time for me to join the 21st century and get my first "smart" phone, naturally I chose ... an HTC myTouch for T-Mobile.
Come again?
Okay, I've had iPhone envy for years now and have been spending my recent lunch hours playing with the new iPhone 3GS at the Apple Store in the mall connected to my office. I really like it, but I've been a happy T-Mobile customer for years now, since they were VoiceStream, and was reluctant to change carriers, especially with all the bad press about AT&T's coverage. (Apparently, there are so many iPhone users using their iPhones so much that the system can't handle the traffic, resulting in slow or no 3G connections and poor or non-existent call quality.) So the other day I stopped in at my local Radio Shack and found that they had the myTouch. None of them were "live," so the saleswoman let me pop my sim card into a brand new black one and play with it for a while. After she told me I could return the phone, without penalty, within 30 days if I didn't like it, I figured, why not? So I left the store with that new black myTouch in my pocket.
First impressions? It's a beautiful little phone. The screen is bright and colorful and I get a good connection to the internet and my e-mail. Calls are clear and strong, as always, and there are lots of free apps from the Android Market. The myTouch works seamlessly with my .Mac account, as well as my Gmail account, and everything is automatically synched between the phone and my Google calendar and contacts. I was a little concerned about no iTunes access, but there's a great free program called Double Twist that allows me to easily copy all of my content -- songs, photos, video, and more -- from my computer to the phone, so it's like having iTunes on the phone. Overall, it's a lot like an iPhone, only the T-Mobile service is cheaper than AT&T, and from all the complaints I've heard and read about, it's also more reliable.
Other reviewers have complained about the speed of e-mail, but my e-mails -- Gmail and my .Mac mail -- are very fast. I have the phone set to check every 5 minutes and have no lag at all. As for the keyboard, it's not that bad, but you can download the free HTC keyboard or buy the Better Keyboard or TouchPal, all of which work better -- problem solved.
So, at the end of 30 days, what am I going to do? The Apple-loving side of me would still like an iPhone, but there really isn't any need for one, given that the myTouch does just about everything the iPhone does, and it does it for less, and more reliably to boot. The iPhone undoubtedly has more available apps, but the Android Market already has thousands, most of which I couldn't care less about. Many more are sure to come. As much of an Apple fan as I am, I'm having a hard time justifying the extra cost of the AT&T service, particularly given all of the problems they're having. (I have lots of friends with iPhones and they all love it, but concede that it drops calls all the time, and that the call quality isn't that great. Call me old-fashioned, but I think a phone -- "smart" or not -- should be able to handle calls first and foremost.) And because the myTouch is still new, there aren't that many floating around yet, whereas the iPhone is now ubiquitous; even my 10 year old daughter's friend has one!
So, while I've only had it a couple weeks, I'm very impressed with the myTouch and think I'll be keeping it.

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HP iPAQ RX1950 Pocket PC Review

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(More customer reviews)There is a firmware update for the iPAQ rx1950/1955 that fixes the power on problem when using an SD card. If you go to hp.com, pick Software & Driver Downloads, then type in the product name and continue, then pick Windows Mobile 5.0, you'll see a list of updates for the unit. Right now there is an (OS) ROM update, and a firmware update. The firmware update is the one that fixes this problem, but if you are planning to load the OS/ROM update as well, load that one first, then load the Firmware update. You should always back up all your data before applying an update.
I also had a similar problem when I didn't have the battery cover on and latched just right, but that's OK now too, as long as I don't drop the thing on the ground.

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Enjoy music, videos, and Internet applications on the go, with control at your fingertips! Powered by the Microsoft Windows Mobile5.0 Pocket PC operating system, the iPAQ rx1955 offers big functionality and modern design for a reasonable price.
Portable Efficiency Go on the Internet at your local Wi-Fi hot spot or at home using the integrated 802.11b wireless LAN. Add speed and agility with Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium for Pocket PC Professional. You'll be able to view and edit Microsoft Office documents, including working with Excel charts and Powerpoint presentations with custom animations and slide transitions.
Stay in touch with your business and personal contacts using the integrated personal information manager (PIM) software. You'll get where you want to go fast through the five-way navigation button and four application launch buttons, and be able to protect your important data when your iPAQ runs out of battery power with the persistent store feature.
Not Just For Work Enjoy music and videos in MP3 (or WMA or WMV) format; transfer fresh music and video to your iPAQ as your mood dictates via Windows Media Player version 10. You can easily store music and videos on SD/MMC memory cards using the built-in SD slot. Listen to your tunes privately--in stereo--via headphones (sold separately) through the 3.5 mm headphone jack. View color snapshots in both portrait and landscape modes on the 3.5-inch TFT display (64,000 colors).
When you've finished up everything on your "to do" list, you can always challenge yourself to the included games from Microsoft and download other popular titles. HP provides a 90-day warranty on the RX1955, covering parts and service.
What's in the BoxHP iPAQ rx1955 Pocket PC, Lithium-lon 1100 mAh removable/rechargeable battery, AC adapter, USB desktop synchronization cable, slip case, documentation package, HP iPAQ Getting Started disc

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Plantronics CS70 Wireless Headset Review

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(More customer reviews)After many disappointments with corded and wireless headsets and the unavailability of a Bluetooth(tm) option for our phone system, I purchased the CS70 because of its use of the 6.0 DECT (1.9 GHz) band, digitally-encrypted audio (Essential for our health care office, after having a local scanner hobbyist e-mail us some of our conversations from 5.8 GHz "analog" cordless telephones.), the reported 300 foot range, less chance of interference with 2.4 GHz WiFi networks (and the other myriad of gadgets in that crowded frequency band) and recommendations that the audio was "second to none."
Other cordless headsets that we had purchased in the past were useless when trying to communicate with some of our elderly, hard-of-hearing clients. The CS70 allows adjustments of both incoming and outgoing audio from moderate levels to almost painfully loud. At the highest volume settings it could almost qualify as a speaker phone in a quiet room! We have received many unsolicited compliments about our telephone call sound quality from the hard of hearing. Comments such as: "What telephone are you using? I can't understand anybody else on the telephone except when your office calls." Our clients who have difficulty hearing are much more likely to answer our calls when they see our number in the caller ID because of this. Apparently the Plantronics noise-cancelling and digital audio processing increases the intelligibility. The 64-bit audio encryption, sufficient for all but the most demanding security environments, does not degrade the audio quality - something that we noted with cordless telephones we've had in the past from Panasonic and Uniden that use FHSS or DSS ("frequency hopping spread spectrum" or "digital spread spectrum") although, as far as we know they are quite secure and our calls were never monitored successfully.
The optional Handset Lifter HL-10 is anything but "optional." It is a "must have" with this device. The whole point of having a cordless headset is not having to return to the base unit for every function - especially to pick up and hang up the phone! For the price Plantronics is charging, the HL-10 should be included. Furthermore, the HL-10's compatibility, even with models that are so listed on the Plantronics website, is a relative term that will require some ingenuity to insure reliability. In our experience, a small piece of Velcro(tm) to attach the handset to the lifter works wonders, but it took several hours of "trial and error" to figure this out. Use enough Velcro(tm) to secure the handset when moved by the lifter, but not so much that the handset cannot be easily removed without yanking the lifter out of position.
The biggest disappointment with the CS70 is the range. The listed "up to 300 feet" is a joke. Even in completely open terrain with no intervening walls in a flat rural area of Florida with no known powerful electromagnetic radiation sources. The best distance we could achieve was 60-75 feet and still have reliable, noise-free communications even with optimal base unit positioning in an elevated location away from all metal and other electronic devices. The range indoors, in an office environment, with sheetrock, non-metallic walls and the usual collection of office equipment and furniture drops to 50 feet AT BEST. With the metallic studs that are used as wall supports in many commercial building, the CS70 basically becomes a "line of sight" device over 25-30 feet. In one of our clinics, the range was so short that we thought that we had a defective unit. However, after exchanging it for another CS70, we got the same results. Of course, very few of us need a range of 300 feet, but it is very annoying to drop a call while making a short trip down the hall for a file. The short range reduces the CS70's usefulness as an aid to "multitasking." Could it be that the lack of an external antenna is responsible for this? Somebody needs to call Plantronics "on the carpet" for their bogus range claims.
The headset, although it appears bulky, is surprisingly comfortable. Battery life is outstanding. And the headset recharges rapidly, making it easy to use the CS70 all day. If you're a big talker, you might have to leave headset in the charger during lunch. We can't comment on battery longevity since we've only had the CS70's for a couple of months.
Although the CS70 touts its interference resistance, we've had trouble with the CS70 in our office near the airport. These problems did not affect the "frequency hopping" cordless phones in either the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands that we've had in the past. Also, some PDA telephones, like the Cingular 8125 and others, intermittently interfere with the CS70. Every few minutes there will be several seconds of static and the outgoing audio is dropped. What the source of this interference is, we still haven't determined. But it seems that it would have to either be the Bluetooth or WiFi transmitters.

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Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been waiting for this keyboard since December. Microsoft has had problems in production and deadlines about this product. As of the day I write this, Microsoft's website "Press Pass" still publishes an article saying this keyboard and mouse set will be released "January 2007." That didn't happen. But it is here now and I'm not too impressed, even though I'm satisfied.
I was debating between getting this product and the Logitech diNovo Edge keyboard (these keyboards are media-centered keyboards, no numerical keypads in addition). I've used the diNovo Edge and I've liked it. I purchased this Microsoft product because it is both slightly cheaper and comes with a matching mouse.
The diNovo Edge has a lithium Ion battery and a recharging station which looks nice but is impractical because it stands the keyboard on an edge so that it cannot be used while charging (looks cool). This 7000 keyboard, however, is powered by 4 AA batteries, but this keyboard is just as slim and sleek as the diNovo keyboard. On another Microsoft webpage that profiles hardware like this, it is advertised that 4 AA batteries power this keyboard for "an average of over nine months." What is weird (and almost unnecessary) is to make the mouse (unlike the keyboard) come with a recharging base. It is as if Microsoft started with the newer (yet to be released) 8000 model of this keyboard/mouse set (which is going to cost more) and just started subtracting features. For example, whereas the diNovo and the 8000 model of this product have light-up features for dark room usage, this 7000 model does not. Also, the 800 comes with a hub that both the mouse and keyboard use instead of just a hub for the mouse (as in the 7000).
For me, I was disappointed when I started typing on this 7000 model keyboard because the key-depression sounds are as loud as my laptop or PC (some people however like a stronger physical and audible feedback from the keys as they type). diNovo has soft key-depression, and even though this 7000 model wasn't advertised with soft keys I hoped it was a basic feature. The Bluetooth technology works as expected. My favorite feature is the keyless Function buttons which can be redefined for your specific shortcuts. My mouse came with differing pressure levels for the right and left clicks and this has been irritating (the left-click is very sensitive).
In sum: the 7000 keyboard has a cheaper feel than the diNovo (mine is made of hard plastic and the diNovo is partly made of fiberglass); but I shook around this keyboard and pressed on its sides fairly hard: it's pretty durable. This is currently one of the most sophisticated keyboards on the market and it's the most Vista-ready keyboard currently. It's sleek, ergonomic, and rests no higher than your watch on the table. I'm satisfied.

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Now you can transition between work and fun with unprecedented ease and comfort. This ultra-thin entertainment desktop set with a rechargeable mouse delivers top-notch performance with virtually no interference--from up to 30 feet away.
Give yourself room to move; wireless mouse and keyboard products let you work without worrying about tangled wires. The Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 features 2.4 GHz Bluetooth connectivity with First Connect technology that makes it easy to connect wirelessly right out of the box. The desktop set includes a rechargeable mouse and keyboard with battery status indicators that flash when batteries need recharging.
Mouse Features The mouse's 4-way scrolling feature takes advantage of Microsoft's Tilt Wheel technology, letting you scroll four ways for greater efficiency and comfort. Meanwhile, the Instant Viewer function allows you to click the scroll wheel button to instantly display your open windows. Then you just point and click to select the window you want. Another feature, the Magnifier, lets you point and click to enlarge and edit details on your screen.
Keyboard Features The keyboard features an ultra-thin, ergonomist-approved "Comfort Curve" design that allows you to place your hands naturally and work comfortably using the distinctive quiet touch keys. This sleek design also reduces clutter on your desk, fits on your lap and complements your flat screen monitor. Meanwhile, an integrated navigation pad with cursor control makes it easy to command your PC from your lap or the comfort of your sofa.
Use the Media Center Start Button to gain one touch access to Windows Media Center, or press the Windows Start Button to launch your Start menu and search your PC or the Web if you have Windows Vista installed. The Windows Live Call Button accesses your Windows Live Messenger buddy list, while the Windows Gadgets Button gives you one-touch access to gadgets such as weather information, news updates, traffic maps and slide shows of online photo albums. Plus, when you're playing music or videos media controls on the keyboard allow you to easily navigate to your next or previous track. Or use the media controls to play, pause and control volume. Lastly, the "My Favorites" hot key makes it easy to access the folders, files, and Web pages you use most.
What's in the Box Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 keyboard and mouse, rechargeable batteries, software CD-ROM, and Microsoft Mini Bluetooth Transceiver.

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Garmin GXM 30 Antenna NavTraffic and XM Satellite Radio reception for your Garmin navigation system Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been using a GXM 30 with my Garmin 2739 for over 2 years now. I am very pleased. I use if for music as well as subscribing to the traffic and weather services from XM. I take the unit wherever I go. The 2730 goes from car to car as well as two motorcycles. The GXM I only use in the cars as I have hard wired a Delphi Sky-Fi II mounting bracket onto both bikes and take the head unit with me as I need it. For those of you who are thinking about buying a car dealer navigation system in the car as well as XM - don't wast your money. The Garmin is a whole lot less (I paid $181 for a refurbished unit), it is more easily updated and for less than the dealer systems, and it is portable. OK, it is not as cosmetically appealing as a in dash screen but I can live with that and the $2000 I saved. I agree with the previous poster, the first person should have researched the product. His complaint is not a valid one.

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Sony Ericsson C902i Cyber-shot Unlocked Cell Phone with 5 MP Camera, Media Player, International 3G, M2 Memory Slot--U.S. Version with No Warranty (Swift Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been using this phone for about a month now on T-Mobile (upgraded from a RAZR) without any issues. Just stick the SIM card in and you're good to go. When I shopped around for a phone, I had a few requirements: candy-bar body, good camera, and mostly no hassle features for everything else. I don't text message very much, nor do I use my phone as an MP3 player.
Firstly, the phone's look and feel are superb. It feels solid in the hand and unnoticeable in the pocket. As mentioned in the specs, it is one of the thinnest phones out there, and the construction feels solid, with metal back plate. The sliding mechanism that shields the camera's lens feel a bit wobbly and flimsy, but has so far not deteriorated with heavy use. The screen is a little small, but bright and crisp, with perfect visibility under direct sunlight. Directional pad, as well as call/cancel, and context buttons are all where you expect them to be and provide just the right amount of tactile feedback when pressed. Be aware that this is a SMALL phone, and you will have trouble hitting these small buttons if you have large fingers. That said, the keypad itself leaves much to be desired. The keys themselves are arrayed at an angle, making it somewhat confusing as to which button you're going to end up pressing. Your eyes tell you one thing, but your fingers tell you another. The only that helps seems to be either dialing slowly and carefully or simply trying to ignore your fingers telling you what button it's over.
The highlight of this phone is undoubtedly the 5.0 MP camera. The lens is at the top of the camera and is shielded by a sliding bar at the top that is honestly quite slick. When you pull it out to activate camera mode, a blue led strip lights up breifly and fades away. This serves no practical function, but is cool nonetheless. Once in camera mode, touch-sensitive buttons light up along either side of the screen. Taking pictures is best done turning the camera horizontally and using the dedicated camera trigger on the top (depress half way to focus and fully to snap). Since this is still a camera phone, shutter speed and shot-to-shot still leave much to be desired. However, it is FAR better than the iphone. The digital viewfinder is somewhat misleading as it will freeze the frame when you depress the trigger. However, this frame will be replaced by a preview of the actual picture taken (which will often be more clear). As a cyber-shot camera, it has the standard features such as face-detection, auto-focus, burst mode, etc. The flash is weak at times, but adequete (just be careful because it will drain your battery). Typical shot-to-shot time is long on this phone, but I find that most of the time, pictures are clear on the first shot. If you are really paranoid, the burst-mode will take 9 pictures in the span of a second, and you can pick which ones you want to keep or discard. Under low light conditions, pictures will turn out grainy unless you use flash. Pictures taken with this camera will not rival dedicated point-and-shoot digital cameras, but it is leaps and bounds better than other cameraphones I've used. As a point of reference, I enjoy taking pictures wherever I go, and this is the only device I bring. Considering how light it is, and the fact that it's a phone, it is honestly a perfect combo device for casual photographers. The phone is also capable of capturing 30 fps video, which I have not really had the opportunity to play around with. The initial samples I took turned out grainy, but maintained a consistent framerate.
The phone comes with standard sony-ericsson software loaded onto the ~160 MB of internal memory. The software is quite intuitive and mimics the media browsing experience on the PSP and Playstation. The PC suite includes the abiltiy to sync music, outlook contacts and calendars, and other files. While a bit bloated, the PC suite does its job. A few issues I should mention: the phone does not seem to be able to sync media files via bluetooth. This is really a shame because being able to sync pictures wirelessly is a very handy feature. The memory is expandable using sony's proprietary memory stick technology (the micro variant), which comes in sizes up to 8GB. The phone has a proprietary connection jack that is used to charge, sync, and adapt to regular headphones. The basic headphones included with the phone are low quality and become uncomfortable to wear after only a few minutes. If you intend to use this device as an MP3 player, definately have a better set of headphones handy. As I mentioned before, the keypad is terrible, making this phone unuseable for extended texting and/or browsing.
Call quality is great, and I notice no difference in reception from my RAZR. Speakerphone volume is loud and the device works seamlessly with my hands free bluetooth headset. The included PC Suite also provides settings for using the phone as an internet connection for your bluetooth enabled laptop.
Bottom line, this phone will turn heads with its sexy design. If are you looking for a very slick and stylish candy-bar phone with a great built-in camera, look no further. If you lean toward emphasizing picture quality from your phone, you may want to wait for the next generation of 8.0 MP phones such as the C905. Just do not expect to text or browse effectively.

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