The Amulet Remote is the first voice-enabled remote control designed specifically for Vista Media Center. It makes it easy to record and watch TV, listen to your favorite music, and view DVDs, videos and photos - all using simple voice commands.

Using Amulet just say “Watch Channel Cinemax” and the system selects the Cinemax channel. To watch last night’s recorded episode of your favorite bizaro action drama, say “Watch Program Lost”, and Amulet will find and display it.

The same approach works for music. To listen to that new album you bought last week, say “Play Artist Tiffany” and after the system mocks you merclessly the music starts to play.

Don’t recognize that song? Say “Name that tune” and Amulet tells you what’s playing - the product includes a high quality synthesized voice that allows two way conversations, even when the television is turned off.

The Amulet Remote is scheduled to ship in March 2009. http://www.amuletdevices.com

The new NAS device allows iPhone owners to access their photos, videos, files, etc., via Buffalo’s unique Web Access 2.0 feature. Web Access allows users to access data via a web browser from any computer.

The updated LinkStation has a faster processor, two USB 2.0 ports for additional storage, or two or more LinkStation Pro devices can be added to backup each other over the network. It also includes Active Directory Support.

Other features include Gigabit JumboFrame support and an auto-sensing 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet port.

The new LinkStation Pro will be available in January at estimated street prices of $209.99 for the 500GB (LS-XH500L) and $299.99 for the 1TB (LS-XH1.0TL).

Offered in three distinct colors, Blue Onyx, Pearl White and Ruby Red, the MiniStation Cobalt includes easy-to-use backup and sync software for PC and Mac’s.

Shock resistant design as well as Buffalo’s SecureLockMobile software to prevent unauthorized access in the event the drive is lost or stolen.

The MiniStation Cobalt is backed by a limited one-year warranty that includes toll-free 24/7 technical support and will be available late January at estimated street prices of $169.99 for the 500GB (HD-PE500U2), $119.99 for the 320GB (HD-PE320U2), $89.99 for the 250GB (HD-PE250U2) and $79.99 for the 160GB (HD-PE160U2).

PENTAX has announced two compact digital cameras: the Optio P70 and Optio E70. The ultra-slim PENTAX Optio P70 digital compact camera has 12 megapixels, a 4X optical zoom (equivalent to 27.5mm-110mm), plus a wide angle 28mm lens, the Optio P70 metal body is available in multiple colors.

Additional features include a 2.7 inch high-resolution, wide-angle view LCD panel, and new Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology, Advanced Face Recognition that tracks up to 32 faces in 0.03 seconds, and both Smile Capture that automatically releases the shutter when subjects smile, and Blink Detection to alert you if your subject’s eyes are closed. HD movie captures vivid video in widescreen 720p at 15 FPS, and a Vertical Snap mode allows image capture with the ease of a cell phone camera.

The Optio E70 have a 10 megapixel CCD and a 3X wide zoom lens (equivalent to 35mm-105mm), the Optio E70 features a 2.4 inch color LCD monitor. The Optio E70 is compatible with AA batteries.

The PENTAX Optio P70 will be available for $199.95 in a choice of three colors: white, red and silver. The PENTAX Optio E70 will be available in champagne gold, deep blue and red for $139.95 USD.

More pics after the break...

Today LaCie announced its Hard Disk MAX high capacity storage system for users who want advanced RAID features with consumer-level ease of use and style. Featuring a Neil Poulton design, the Hard Disk MAX delivers 2 TB (terabytes) of storageness...that’s a word right?

With the the LaCie Setup Assistant you can set up your new RAID as you please. Pop in Genie Backup Assistant for PC and Intego Backup Assistant for Mac and you all set for making backups. The front USB 2.0 expansion port can be used to link to another external drive for additional data backups. The multi-purposed blue LED stripe provides ambient light and changes to red to warn of potential problems.

The Hard Disk Max comes with the exclusive LaCie One Year Unlimited Online Backup service, which provides unlimited online backup for one full year after installation is a complete.

Retail price starting at $269.99 USD. For more product information, visit http://www.lacie.com

I just got word that PPC (http://www.connect2ppc.com) will be releasing their patented design this week at CES for a locking HDMI cable. Was this a problem I was unware of...dislodged and falling HDMI cables?

Well, if this is you and your tired of re-plugging that digital cable in everytime your cat goes on walkabout PCC has your kit. Starting at $48.99, the PPC HDMI Locking Cable has you covered with:

- Patented locking device reduces fallout, providing a more reliable signal.
- Push-button operation - easy-to-use release tab prevents port damage.
- Perfect Flex jacket and flexible cable - no tools required to install, engage or release for easy installation.
- 100 percent foil coverage and braided shielding to eliminate interference.
- Requires no adapter, no additional hardware, no adhesives or modifications.
- Elegant & intuitive design.
- HDMI compliant - backwards compatible with all HDMI spec ports.

And hey, we all pay $50+ for our HDMI cables...right? 

Ok, you’ve made the leap to buy that little gem of technology - the iPhone.  Some may argue about whether or not the iPhone is really the best phone under the sun, however, chances are if you bought one you love it.  But, now that you’ve dropped $200-300 on your new phone dark thoughts start to enter your mind that make your blood run cold.  What if you scratch it or worse drop it?  What if you dropped it face down in gravel? Yikes!  Time to start thinking about cases.  Proporta offers several options to put your mind to rest.  Below is a summary of several current offerings I have taken for a real world test: 

Continue Reading: Proporta 3G iPhone Case and Screen Protector Reviews

The DSS 30 is compatible with Wav, Flac, AAC, OGG, DFF and WMA files, frequently used compressed formats such as MP3, MP4 and M4O - and others. Using its USB ports, it accepts memory sticks, hard drives, PCs, and CD-Rom players. A built-in Windows-Directory program organizes custom playlists in a variety of ways, and a large, bright, two-line display shows key information about individual tracks, including, titles, times, and formats.

The DSS 30 includes a 4-GB internal memory that can be expanded by an external hard drive, and also includes a removable Secure Digital (SD) memory card. Connections include two USB 2.0 ports on the front, two more USB ports on the rear panel, a PC input, a 75-ohm RCA input, stereo RCA outputs, balanced XLR outputs, and an Ethernet port allowing use in a LAN network. The DSS 30 can also be used in a wireless mode and, using its coax input and output, as a traditional high-end DAC for CD transports.

The Blacknote DSS 30 is available now for a suggested price of $2,876. During 2009, Black Note will introduce three additional models - the DSS 15, DSS 50 and DSS 50, with suggested retail prices of $1,500, $7,200 and $12,800, respectively.

http://www.blacknote.eu/

Santa was a busy elf this year. I try to keep a simple uncluttered media center in my living room. To that end I have had the Xbox 360 Pro since launch and a Yamaha YSP surround sound bar. This worked great until 1080p and serious up-scaling came onto the scene a couple of years back.  I added an Oppo 1080p DVD player about 2 years ago and recently I replaced my non 1080p LCD for a Samsung 1080p A650 LCD.

Here is where the dilemma came in; all this shiny new 1080p HDMI gear and an old Xbox 360. I have been waiting for a Jasper unit for some time and finally decided the wait was not worth it. I really wanted HDMI and the larger hard drive as I use Xbox Live Marketplace to buy TV shows and such. I ditched cable TV last month once Netflix and Playon was on the scene in full force.
From what I have been reading only the Xbox 360 Arcade units have been coming as Jasper revisions. The Falcon revisions have been performing well, and I was tired of waiting and was ready to make the purchase. As luck would have it the wait was actually worth it this time.

Continue reading Amazon shipping Jasper Xbox 360 Pro Consoles...

Quote:

“The Mio C520 is a very nice product that comes with an amazing amount of built in functionality and even more added functionality if you start thinking outside the cube. As a GPS device the C520 presents a wide range of features and enough useability that it warrants serious consideration from any consumer seeking a solid GPS device. The interface and destination input could use some refining but overall we were pleased with its use.

With an excellent battery life and all of the extra features the C520 comes with its sure to be popular among consumers. If you consider the “optional” abilities presented by its Windows CE Core 5.0 then the C520 is a bargain giving you the ability to do much much more than it was ever designed to do.”

TechwareLabs reviews Mio DigiWalker C520 Portable GPS

Imagine a world where you can watch your DVD movie, play a video game, or enjoy your Apple iPod without disturbing anyone, having someone see what you are watching or bothering you, and all in your own private world.  The Vuzix iWear AV920 Video Eyewear allows you see a virtual 62” big screen while wearing the AV920 like a pair of big eyeglasses.  The AV920 is compatible to almost any type of audio/video device such as an Apple iPod, DVD Player, or Video Game Console and using a built-in lithium ion battery, which provide for up to five hours of use, the AV920 can be completely portable.

If you are like me, there are many times where a personal video screen can be very useful.  There are times when I want to play a video game, but my wife does not want to see or hear the game.  There are the occasional nights where she wants to sleep undisturbed and I want to watch a movie.  I have even used the AV920 to watch a movie on an airplane when there was nothing good to watch on the in-flight system.  And each time, I was able to privately enjoy the simulated 62” big screen.  Using two high-resolution displays, the AV920 creates the feeling of viewing video on a big screen display “floating” in front of you.  The AV920 can even display 3D movies and games giving you a true 3D experience, although there are only a handful of 3D movies on DVD and 3D games available.

Read our full review of iWear AV920 Video Eyewear

The Addesso Z12 to try out is a nice looking tablet that seems very sturdy and well made. At an MSRP of $149, the Z12 is $50 less expensive than Wacom’s comparable large Bamboo Fun tablet, so it invites a little side-by-side comparison of the two.

The Z12 is larger than the Bamboo Fun, with a 6x10 inch active surface, compared to the Bamboo Fun’s 8.5x8.3. The Z12 also sports 1024 levels of pressure for inking, twice that of the Bamboo Fun, however, the Bamboo Fun has higher resolution, with 2,540 lines of resolution compared to the Z12’s 2000.  The result is that the Z12 gives very good performance and the bigger active area makes it a bit easier to use, especially if you have a widescreen monitor.  I actually liked the Z12 better for handwriting and found it was easier to get good handwriting recognition in Windows Vista.

Read our Review: Adesso Cyber Tablet Z12

Whether you have a keyboard or touchpad that is not working, want something better, or just need a desktop keyboard or mouse when working in the office, there are a wide range of choices available to the notebook computer user.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Even though most people prefer the common mouse for working with their computer, I have always preferred a trackball.  I find them easier to use, take up less workspace, and are great when traveling on a plane where there is almost no space to use a mouse.  My favorite has always been the Kensington Orbit Trackball

The original Orbit was a mechanical trackball that always needed cleaning due to dust, lint, and oil building up on the ball and transferring to the rollers inside.  The new Orbit Optical Trackball has eliminated that problem with an efficient optical design.  The Orbit features Left and Right mouse buttons and a small, comfortable ball.  The Orbit connects to the notebook via USB.  The top of the Orbit is covered in a black coating that makes it more comfortable and your hand is less likely to slide off the trackball.

Read: Extend the life of older notebooks: Part 7 - Keyboard and Mouse