End User

Five Simple Gadgets: Low Tech in High Tech Times

I remember having a conversation with my dad in the late 80s, just as cordless phones became all the rage. You know the ones I'm talking about: those brick phones with telescoping antennae and batteries that never lasted long and were insanely expensive to replace. That day, dad was waxing poetic about what he imagined technology would be like in the future. Having grown up in the 50s and 60s, steeped in early sci-fi culture, he had only dreamed that such things as cordless phones would exist. I countered, imagining that we'd have… video phones by the time I was an adult! How far we've come.

But I find, in this day of smart phones and slate computers, that it's easy to forget that there are gadgets out there that, by virtue of their simplicity and ingenuity, have stood up to decades and, in some cases, centuries of use. So, for a look at simple tech, I've put together a list of some of the gadgets that, in spite of advances in technology, have yet to be outdone.

• The French Press (at right) - If you follow me on Twitter, you may notice I have an affinity for coffee. Every morning is a ritual for me. And if I'm not pulling shots of espresso, I'm making a French Press. Having been lucky enough to visit Scotland in 2000, I came back with an obsession when it comes to coffee made with this method. The French Press dates back to the mid-19th century but wasn't patented until 1929, by an Italian designer. Unlike brewed coffee, the cafe press works by virtue of lower-temperature brewing, since you add just-boiled water (i.e. around 209-210). The resulting beverage is both bold and lower in acid, not to mention infused with antioxidants (which many commercial filters strain out). Super bonus? Since you can also brew tea with a French Press, it's a total multitasker. Personally, I know of no better cup of coffee! Our household press is the Bodum Chambord, but there are a variety of other versions including the Frieling Stainless Steel Press and the Bonjur Hugo Unbreakable Press.

• The Good Pen - While it may be difficult for some of the gadget-heads among us, there are those of us in the world who still love a good pen. Conversely, there is nothing so bad as an awful pen. While I don't write by hand as much as I used to, my favorite pen I ever had was a Cross pen I received as a Christmas present when I was still in high school. Sure, some are proponents of the more refined ink varieties—some which can set you back a few hundred dollars—but the Cross versions are my personal favorites. Since pen selection is extremely subjective, I recommend you try a wide variety of pens and see what works best for you; slender or chunky, ball point or fountain, gel or felt-tipped. Some pens to try include the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen and the truly luxury priced MontBlanc Classic Ballpoint.

• The Leatherman. There can never be an app for this. Simply put, the Leatherman is the king of multitaskers, and really, the best bang for your buck when it comes to all the remarkable stuff it can do. Sure, there are Swiss Army knives, too, but in my experience nothing's got the job done so well as the Leatherman. The company really is a labor of love, started in the early 80s by Tim Leathermen. (And no, it's not a pocket knife—it's a Pocket Survival Tool™, or PST). The Super Tool 300  (at right) has a staggering 19 tools in one, and never needs to plug in to charge. For the truly elite, and those who can afford to drop that sort of money, Leatherman has also released a gorgeous collection called Argentum, with prices ranging from $240 to $40,000.
  

• The Moleskine. Sure, sure, I know what you're saying. A notebook is not a gadget. However, no other notebook (and I don't mean computer notebook) has ever inspired so many gadget-like uses as the Moleskine. Be it art or organization, something about the Moleskine just inspires creativity. Personally, I think it’s related to its size, which is certainly similar to other pocket-organizers on the market today, albeit much lower tech.  For portable note-taking, nothing beats the Moleskine, either: remarkably durable, far more affordable than a netbook, and extremely sleek, this is one of my favorite examples of simple tech.

• The Watch. I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in the 80s, but I have an absolute knee-jerk hatred for digital-faced watches. I mean, to me, it might as well be a calculator watch. Ugh. However, when it comes to a beautifully crafted pocket watch or wristwatch, my heart is all a-patter with the shiny loveliness. Believe it or not, the pocket watch dates back to the 16th century and was the primary method of personal time telling until after WWI, when the whole wristwatch thing became a la mode. And while there have been some significant advances in the mechanisms (especially the development of batteries) the aesthetic, especially in pocket watches, has remained very much the same. I really like the idea of a gadget that stands the test of time, something that can be given to the next generation (you can't say the same for your iPhone, I bet). I've always had a thing for Fossil, and recently like a lot of the quirky designs from Betsey Johnson.

How about you? Any simple tech gadgets out there that you use every day that you'd like to share? Let us know.

--Natania Barron

 

Console Battle Heats Up Between Wii and XBox: Netflix, ESPN Rumors Up the Stakes

While games themselves certainly influence the console competition—notably with the XBox 360 making big news last week with the top-selling game of 2009 in spite of the Wii's heavy presence in the top ten—as we turn the corner into 2010, the situation is heating up in new and intriguing ways.

Both the Wii and XBox have generated a good deal of buzz so far this week, but not with game titles as you might expect (though XBox's Rock Band Network has gone into beta). It appears that both companies are making strides toward re-imagining their consoles as multi-media gadgets, pushing their usability far beyond the game realm. While initially the Wii and XBox have influenced very different demographics—the Wii for family-oriented gaming and a certainly advanced approach to gameplay, and the XBox to the more hardcore gamers—the line between the two is starting to blur.

First up, the Wii. From the outset, one of the biggest complaints about Nintendo's Wii has been that--though it can simulate a variety of sports, help trim your waistline, and even tackle classics like Mario Kart--it has no DVD playing capabilities to speak of. As a result, consumers have been forced to view the device primarily for games. And it's good at games, which is not a bad thing.

However, in spite of its 3-year presence as a gaming console and subsequent success in sales, Nintendo announced today that it's partnering with Netflix to offer streaming video on the Wii, much the same was as the XBox has done since 2008. The service will be free for Netflix subscribers with $9 or more monthly plans, and will require a CD update. It's definitely a new direction for the company.

Speaking to the Times, Reggie Fils-Amie, president of Wii America, indicates that new ventures such as the Netflix partnership have always been a part of the long-term plan, however, and that it's "a continuation of an effort to bring more and more entertainment to consumers who interact with the Wii."

But there are a few drawbacks, and skeptics are already voicing their trepidation. The Wii doesn't support high definition, unlike both the XBox and the Playstation 3. And while Nintendo has seen impressive sales numbers, it's unclear if people will be willing to sacrifice better quality for accessibility. To get an expert opinion on the subject of adoptability, IndustryGamers.com went to Michael Pacher of Wedbush Morgan, and he is far from optimistic:

In our view, only a small percentage (likely fewer than 20%) of Wii owners have connected their consoles to the Internet, which is required to activate the Netflix service.  In contrast, we believe that more than 75% of Xbox 360s are connected to the Internet, and more than 80% of PS3s are connected.

Pacher expects a gradual growth, but nothing astronomical. In spite of the fact that the Wii is the number one selling gaming console, with over 26 million in the U.S. according to IndustryGamers, it's likely that consumers simply won't make the jump from gaming to media center, especially with the lackluster standard definition option.

XBox, however, does not appear to be chasing the tail of any other console, although the New York Times does report they're planning to release motion-based gaming technology akin to the Wii in the near future. Instead of following trends, the XBox is making them, and taking on bigger competition than ever. According to the New York Times, Microsoft is working to make XBox Live, their online subscription service, closer to "entertainment on demand" rather than just games. Netflix has already proved a successful partnership with the console, but how about streaming TV to sweeten the deal? The buzz is that Microsoft is already in talks with the Walt Disney Company about streaming ESPN through XBox Live.

The rumors aren't surprising. The XBox has recently added Twitter and Facebook support, as well as streaming music from Last.fm. That it would stream videos and television, like any PC can with Hulu, seems like a good tactical move. It certainly shows what the console is capable of, moving far beyond a simple gaming device and to something more akin to a multimedia center.

Says Marc Whitten, general manager of XBox Live: “I don’t think there’s a real difference between a game and ‘Lost.’ Or a game and ‘American Idol.’ They’re all ways we spend our leisure time… these narrow swim lanes — games, music, movies, etc. — will dissolve.”

Either way, it looks like if the Wii is going to compete as a multimedia platform, it's got a lot of laps to make before it can catch up.

--Natania Barron

Weather Gadgets for the Long Winter Ahead

Now that the holidays have come to a close, we enter the long, dark stretch of winter across much of world. With chilly temperatures, long nights, and the threat of inclement weather, it can be a little dreary to say the least.

But in spite of the difficulties of the season, you do have some intriguing gadget options to help you learn about what exactly is going on weather-wise. Taking inspiration from my dad, who never kept his Farmer's Almanac far from reach any time of the year, I though I'd take a look at some weather gadgets that are perfect for helping you get through the doldrums of winter… with science!

• First up, the La Crosse Technology WS-7014CH-IT Wireless Weather Station (at left). La Crosse has a number of weather gadgets on the market, but this particular product has a number of impressive features and a very reasonable price. It can accommodate up to three sensors, for monitoring temperature in multiple places, and records temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, as well as provides forecasts (which, according to the review, are 75% accurate for 12 to 20 hours). The clock and date functionality is set by the U.S. atomic clock. A great starter gadget for those looking to learn about the weather.

• Looking for something more classic? How about the River City Clocks Wall Mounted Weather
  Station with Thermometer, Hygrometer, and Barometer (at right). Yes, the name sounds steampunk, and rather looks it, too. While this isn't the sort of gadget that you plug in, it still gets the job done the old-fashioned way. As it indicates, it measures temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure, all indicators of weather change. It comes in a variety of finishes, too, to match your particular style. And hey, it's totally wireless!

• For a more comprehensive package, there's the Honeywell TN924W Weather Information Station. This system combines general weather information (including up to 4 sensors) with emergency information delivery service. The sensors include an anemometer (measures wind speed and direction), a rain gauge, and a thermo-hygrometer for temperature and humidity. For the data hounds among us, the Honeywell TN924W even syncs up with your PC, allowing for over 200 weather records via a USB port.  Definitely a good choice if you're looking to make the jump from amateur weather watcher to part-time meteorologist.

• And if you're looking to go green, there's the Oregon Scientific RMR500ESA Solar Clima Control. It's got a stylish profile and an impressive design, but most importantly features a solar-powered battery system that powers the whole device. Once again it's got atomic clock sync, so the time is accurate to the millisecond!

• Let's not forget the pocket-sized product, either. While the pricetag is significantly higher than some of the home models, the Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker (at right) is still quite the weather gadget for anyone looking to track data on the go. The features are truly comprehensive, including a long list of tracking features, including current wind speed, max wind gust, wind chill, relative humidity, altitude, and barometric pressure. It's waterproof, and it even floats! Not to mention, it's patented and supports five different languages. It also weighs a scant 8 oz., making it a perfect choice for backpackers and trailblazers. 
  

Whatever your inclination, learning about the weather is a great way to feel more connected to the rather fascinating changes happening around us every day. Thankfully there are lots of gadgets available to help us along the way.

--Natania Barron

CES Roundup: PMPs Look for the Right Niche Amidst Changing Market

What CES 2010 coverage has demonstrated over the last few days is that the market for PMPs--or personal media players--is changing fast. It appears that this year, for the most part, much of the hoopla around PMPs has been drowned amidst fervor for netbooks and technology that feels, well, much more 21st century. Maybe it's simply that gadgets in general are changing: cell phones act like computers, computers act like cell phones, and they all play MP3s. So perhaps it's not so surprising to see that what few players were unveiled at CES 2010 certainly demonstrated a desire to go into unusual, and often curious, directions.

We've already profiled the Samsung MyFit, and it looks like other manufacturers are hoping that fitness sells, as well. The Philips Activa MP3 Player (pictured at right) doesn't even vaguely resemble the MyFit—it's absolutely tiny in comparison, and looks more like a miniature stopwatch than an MP3 player—but its premise is a little more, shall we say, extreme? According to CNET, the Activa is designed to take your fitness routine up a notch by giving you real-time feedback on your workout performance. Engadget explains:

Activa brings along a little trick called TempoMusic; a feature that analyzes your music library to later match songs to your aerobic intensity. That means that Activa can help keep you motivated by shouting out feedback on your progress in addition to words of encouragement while automatically selecting the appropriate music to match the pace of your workout or give you a boost when needed.

The success of the product will likely have to do with users' reactions to the player. As Donald Bell of CNET put it: "Only time will tell if the voice is more in step with the Wii Fit style of chipper encouragement, or with the Tony Little brand of aggressive shouting." (Let’s sincerely hope for the former, at least for Philips’ sake.) The suggested retail price is $130.

Another unveil at CES was the iRiver Smart HD PMP (pictured at right). While extant pictures are a little blurry to say the least, it's still sounds like a relatively promising device that crosses the boundary between eReader and PMP. According to gadgetell's Natesh Sood, the Smart HD PMP includes some pretty impressive specs, including open API widget developments, Wi-Fi, FM Radio, eBook reader integration, and a 3.5 inch, 480x320 screen. According to CNET:

The Smart HD will actively transcode most HD videos down to the screen's 480x320-pixel resolution. There's no word on whether the Smart HD will include TV output capabilities to make HD video resolutions worthwhile.

If you're of the teenage persuasion, or just prefer your gadgets polka-dotted and resembling candy dispensers (or as Donald Bell put it: "an MP3 player for children that looks like a miniature lipstick tube designed by a team of fairy princesses") then you might be interested to learn about the Samsung TicToc (not to be confused with the candy, or L. Frank Baum's automaton). Yes, this is the same Samsung we already profiled with the MyFit and IceTouch. Certainly this year the company has pulled out all the stops to reveal unusual and very demographic specific gadgets.

The TicToc has 12 hours of playback, and comes in three different designs (as well as 2 and 4GB versions).  Of particular note, the TicToc also has an intriguing single-button functionality that, according to sources, changes depending on the orientation of the device.

A last mention is due to the Korean-based company Villiv and their P3 and HD5 PMPs. While technically leaked before CES, Villiv’s PMPs definitely bring to mind the design of the iPod Touch, but have some rather intriguing features for a relative newcomer on the market. The P3 allows for Windows CE 6.0/Android dual boot capabilities, for instance. Display wise, the P3 has a 2.7 inch screen, and is a scant 9.7mm thick. According to TrustedReviews’ Andy Vandervell:

Inside, the unit is powered by an 800MHz ARM Coretex A8 processor, giving it the power to play 720p resolution MKV video. This is supplemented by integrated Wi-Fi, a G-sensor and a vibration motor – presumably used for haptic feedback. Those lucky Koreans also get the option for T-DMB mobile TV – if you've ever been in a Korean taxi you'll understand why this is a popular option – and DAB. 

The P3 will be available in 8, 16, and 32GB; pricing and availability to be determined.

On the heels of the P3 is the HD5 (pictured below), with full 1080p video playback.  Released specs include Windows CE 6.0 OS, HDMI port, SDHC port, 5” screen (800 x 480 capacative touchscreen). While the HD5 certainly seems to err on the side of multimedia rather than music, and while some reviewers are skeptic about the Windows CE 6.0 OS, it could still pack quite a punch. As Vandervell admits, "I must admit to being somewhat taken the company's P3 and HD5 PMPs."

All in all, it's been a somewhat unusual year for the PMP contingent. The few reveals as CES have certainly been intriguing—I think my favorite has to be the IceTouch; I just want to figure out how it works myself—but it's unclear what kind of staying power these gadgets will have. Between slate PCs, netbooks, eReaders, and cell phones at the forefront of consumers' minds, it certainly makes me wonder what CES 2011 will bring in the PMP department. Time will tell.

--Natania Barron

CES Roundup: GPS Devices, Software Evolve

While there's no arguing that tablets and slate-style PCs are the darling of CES this year, there have been some intriguing entrants in the GPS category as well. GPS, one of the first mobile technologies beside the cell phone to really take off, has certainly taken on bit of a blow by the smartphone (and in some cases iPod) industry as many consumers have opted for GPS apps instead of actual GPS gadgets.

However, as CES has so far demonstrated, the GPS industry is still working toward innovation and, in some cases, willing to compromise with existing gadgets.

First up, the Dual XGPS300 Navigation and Battery Cradle for iPod. Yes, the GPS device is clearly missing from this actual GPS gadget. Dual combines the NavAtlas application (free from iTunes) with a cradle specifically designed to integrate with the iPod Touch. The cradle includes a receiver, amplified speaker, and rechargeable battery. According to Dual, it's portable so that you can easily take it with you on hiking trips as well as road trips, a common feature often overlooked in bulkier GPS systems.

According to the company, the XGPS300 "provides a fully-featured turn-by-turn navigation solution, complete with free navigation software and a windshield mount for in-car use." It will retail for $179.99 (about the same price as an iPod Touch).

And with all the buzz around Android, it's no surprise to learn about the Navigon MobileNavigator will be available in for both Windows and Android-based phones. CNET says of the the Navigon MobileNavigator, "for the time being is the most comprehensive iPhone GPS app with potentially more features than you can ask for" so this is likely good news for anyone out there with a new Droid or NexusOne. However, it's important to note that the Windows and Android version won't have the same live-traffic updates as the iPhone, but the features are pretty impressive nonetheless, including 2D and 3D map views, route planning, Day and Night mode, and Text-to-Speech.

Instead of opting for integration, the idea behind the TomTom EASE is, well, ease. For some consumers, the idea of putting an iPod or iPhone on the dashboard is about as distracting as can be—who wants Gmail notifiers going off when you're just trying to find your way around a new city? The TomTom EASE is designed to get the job done, with two-button control and a very small profile. Engadget reports that the TomTom EASE is also going to be competitively priced, and will likely appear in Q2. Some basic specs include a very tiny footprint (3.4" x 3.6" x 1.2" including the mount), lightweight (6.1 oz.), a 3.5" LCD screen (at 320 x 240 pixels, 64K colors), 2GB Flash memory, pre-loaded Tele Atlas US maps, and text-to-speech capabilities. If this really is "competitively priced" it may make quite a splash among GPS holdouts. It also comes in a variety of colors.

Another big name in GPS gadgets, Garmin, also announced a new model in their motorcycle GPS line. I will admit, I had no idea that the Zumo even existed before. But it didn’t take long to figure out why GPS for motorocyclists is such a great idea: not only do they do a great deal of travel, but the gadget itself has to be able to withstand some pretty intense conditions on the road, like bad weather and constant exposure to sun and moisture.  The new Zumo 665, reports CNET, has quite a number of the same features as the previous model, which includes a complete waterproof system, rechargeable battery, and 4.3 inch WQVGA touch screen, as well as Bluetooth capabilities and audio streaming.  From CNET:

Dig a little deeper and you'll find that the new 665 boasts a better battery life (up to five hours versus the 660's three), but the biggest change is the switch to XM NavTraffic and weather from the soon-to-be-defunct MSN Direct network used by the older unit. A cool byproduct of the XM traffic integration is that the Zumo 665 can also stream XM Radio programming through its integrated speaker or to Bluetooth-connected headphones or helmet headsets.

While the unit is not yet available for purchase, it will retail around $999.

Still, altogether, there is a definitely feeling of innovation among the GPS devices, and some thinking outside of the box. As far as press buzz goes, it’s the TomTom EASE that’s made the most noise so far, with most extensive coverage, but we'll keep you posted.

CES Preview: Two New Mp3 Players From Samsung

As CES gets ready to get into full-swing, companies are clamoring to get their products into the hands—and minds—of the public. So it's no surprise that, a little ahead of schedule, Samsung has released some of the specs of two of their newest mp3 players: the MyFit and the IceTouch.

The two products are both riffs on trends we've heard a great deal about in recent months from the portable music contingent: fitness and touch capabilities. But both have some rather intriguing characteristics. While the iPod Touch has performed rather phenomenally—recent statistics from the holiday season showing a tremendous surge in App downloads—mp3 player makers have been struggling to produce gadgets that do something different. And Samsung's newest entrants are certainly that.

First up is the W1, or the MyFit. There's no disguising it: the MyFit is designed for workouts. According to CNET, the MyFit is the first mp3 player that includes fat and stress sensors; but, they're quick to add, it's impossible to actually judge performance at this stage in the game. From the press release:

MyFit transcends basic playback of music and videos and enters the realm of wellness information and monitoring. Its unique features reflect the functional and stylistic nature of music enthusiasts while incorporating important applications and information for a fully-customizable device that encourages a healthy lifestyle.

The MyFit shape is pretty classic looking as far as players are concerned, but programming has a variety of features according to Samsung:

A built-in accelerometer automatically tracks calories burned while jogging, and users can record their caloric consumption per meal with the included food calorie database. Additional wellness applications built into the MyFit include a water intake manager and smoking cessation utility.

Also integrated? How about an FM radio, basic video, and comprehensive support for a variety of music formats. So far, no pricing information has been released, but speculation is an 8GM model will be available during the first half of 2010.

For something completely different, however, Samsung has simultaneously announced the IceTouch. It looks vaguely like a little LED flashlight due to its double-sided, 2-inch AMOLED touch screen. The screen is made of tempered glass, and is completely transparent. From the official Samsung press release:

The AMOLED screen casing is constructed using a dual-injection molding process and tempered glass and results in a smooth, durable and scratch-proof surface that is aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable to the touch.

While the IceTouch design is a radical departure pretty much any music gadget out there, as Gizmodo asks, why? With a 16GB storage capacity, it seems interesting, at very least. But can it do anything special? Does the design mean smoother selection? Are there some new games that take advantage of the setup? The IceTouch uses the same "TouchWiz Sweep" technology that didn't go over particularly well with Gizmodo, so performance capabilities will be up for debate until it's released into the wild.

Taking a page out of the iPod handbook, the IceTouch also will come in a variety of colors: pink, blue, purple, and gray. Pricing, of course, not yet available.

It'll be interesting to see what other companies will be bringing to the table in the coming days. We'll keep you posted.

--Natania Barron

Apple's Magic Mouse Cuts Largest Slice of Mouse Marketshare To Date

Amidst all the talk of speculation regarding iSlates tablets, new iPhones, and the success of the iPod Touch, Apple has another headliner as 2009 comes to a close: according to AppleInsider, for the first time, Apple's mouse sales have captured over 10 percent of the mouse market share. All thanks to the Magic Mouse.

The Magic Mouse debuted in October of this year, touting a buttonless, multi-touch sensitive shell, the first consumer mouse of its kind to offer such capabilities. And while, in general, reviews of the mouse have been mixed, there seems to be enough consumer drive behind the Magic Mouse to elevate the Apple share significantly.

BoingBoing's Rob Beschizza put it best, encapsulating just what is right and wrong with the Magic Mouse:

After the first minute I hated it. After a day I loved it. After a week, I'm on ibuprofen. I like the Magic Mouse, especially the touch-sensitive surface and flick scrolling, but am just not sure how long my metacarpals can take it.

The future of mice, it seems, takes quite a bit of getting used to, even for the most avid gadget reviewers. Like the Mighty Mouse before it, and the classic stylings of the original Apple USB Mouse (or, as it's lovingly called, the "hockey puck"), the Magic Mouse doesn't look like any other mouse out there, which is a hallmark of Apple design. Most consumers are so accustomed to using a two or three-button mouse that any derivation is difficult to get used to. Having used many of the Apple predecessors to the Magic Mouse, and ultimately using a Logitech run-of-the-mill in the end when the Mighty Mouse wheel started acting up, I'm approaching it all with skepticism.

Much of my reservation has to do with the swirling speculation regarding the purported Apple Tablet and not necessarily the functionality of the new Magic Mouse. With applications already available to turn iPods and iPhones into functioning computer touch mice, how viable is the mouse market going to be heading into the next decade? And while the Magic Mouse is certainly heads and shoulders above other mice on the market as far as capability, design, and functionality, it's no guarantee that the mouse will have staying power at all.

As AppleInsider points out:

Whether or not Apple can sustain its increased sales volume of mice sales over time remains to be seen. New Apple products are usually accompanied by publicity and buzz that pushes their sales through the roof in the early going, but often those sales die down over time.

If the tablet supports a mouse, as the iPhone blog cautiously rumors, then it's spectacular timing (assuming that the iSlate, or whatever it will be called, will be out in January); however, if the iSlate doesn't have any peripheral mouse capabilities, it's a bit of a head-scratcher. If consumers are ready for it, the iSlate could render the Magic Mouse, and all other mice, obsolete.

--Natania Barron

Hands-On With the ioSafe Solo

For the uninitiated, the ioSafe Solo is really the Helm's Deep of external hard drives. For those among us with the desire to preserve data in the face of total meltdown, ioSafe does just that: according to the company the ioSafe Solo can withstand temperatures of 1550F for a half an hour and can be fully immersed in 10 ft. of water for three days (with their DataCast and HydroSafe Technologies respectively). Coming anywhere from 500GB ($149) to 2TB capacity (around $280), the ioSafe Solo isn't too shabby with storage space, either.

Other features include USB 2.0 data transfer, up to 480Mb/s, and total compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux alike. It also utilizes what they call "physical theft protection", i.e. the ability to physically bolt and/or lock the unit to a table or wall.That, and it's really, really heavy, which I'm sure is a decent deterrent for theft.

Yes, the ioSafe Solo packs a punch—literally. It weighs 15 pounds. Had I looked at the details a little more closely I might have been a less surprised, but removing it from the packaging was an amusing experience to say the least. As someone accustomed to relatively flimsy technology, setting up the ioSafe does indeed give a feeling of solidity, permanence, and presence.

Setup was a cinch, easier than some of the external hard drives I've used in the past. Though it needed a quick format in order to make it play nice with Snow Leopard, I didn't run into any problems (save that initially I forgot to plug in the USB… and couldn't figure for the life of me why the drive wouldn't mount). User error aside, everything spun up perfectly, and before I knew it, Helm's Deep--as I lovingly named it--was ready to go, fully fortified. Bring on the Orcs.

In spite of its size, and my assumption to the contrary, the ioSafe is extremely quiet. It may have something to do with the physical size of it, but it hardly makes a noise in comparison to my old MyBook, which would often send the whole desk to shaking when it revved up. The glowing blue LED lights are a nice touch, and the surprisingly sleek and almost retro styling prevents it from being an eyesore which, with so many hefty specs for its fireproof and waterproof design, is quite an accomplishment.

My only criticism of the unit is that it doesn't yet allow for home networking (NAS), which is a significant drawback for me. Since we live in a three computer household, it would be excellent to synthesize all the data into one nigh near indestructible unit, especially considering my laptop isn't exactly media central. Not to mention that wifi capabilities would be really sweet, too, just to make it that much easier. Hopefully the makers will include such integration with future models.

But as it is, ioSafe certainly has a good grasp on their own market niche. To set the minds of those of who worry about the worst case scenarios, the ioSafe is a very solid, easy-to-use, high-performance hard drive. It may not be at the front of the class in regard to networking and wifi, but it certainly is heads and shoulders above the rest in terms of durability and resisting destruction.

However, while most reviewers out there are in agreement with me about the impressive performance and ease of use, the current trend appears to be a little more experimental than I'm willing to get with my unit. Be it fire, flood, or flame throwers, these reviewers have really put the ioSafe to the test. Apparently, it can even fry eggs at blistering temperatures. Now, only if it had slots for toast...

• ioSafe on fire: via Gear Diary
• ioSafe with eggs: via Gadgeteer
• ioSafe torture tests: via Macworld

Cooking in the Clever Kitchen: Gadgets for the Culinary Mind

The gadget world is a multi-faceted place, as exemplified by the current trend for smaller, more powerful, more versatile technology. But speaking as someone who once lost an iPod Touch for three days only to find it folded neatly into the Joy of Cooking, the kitchen is also one of the best places for smart technology (albeit slightly more conspicuous, perhaps). And it's not just a matter of making good food, it's creating gadgets that serve multiple purposes and functions, working to change the way we go about making, preparing, and purchasing food.

Here's a look at some of the promising tech primed for the culinary-minded gadget geeks among us:

• The SmartShopper Grocery List Organizer - The SmartShopper (at left), both in its original incarnation and a newer deluxe version, attempts to rectify some of the issues inherent in grocery list making (bad handwriting, missed items, multiple lists/requests) by centralizing the process. With voice recognition, auto-categorization, and a nifty little thermal printer, as well as reasonable pricetag, this handy gadget looks to force even the most disorganized shoppers into submission.

• Oster 4207 Electric Wine-Bottle Opener - Winos rejoice along with me. While there have been many oft-lauded wine openers in the past, few seem to get it right. Oster's shiny little number is just under $20 dollars and does those "rabbit" openers one better: it's rechargeable, wireless, and sleek as sin, not to mention it's got a slew of great reviews. A shorter time between me and my wine? Sign me up.

• Taylor Digital Measuring Cup and Scale - Behold, the king of multi-taskers (shown at right). While I'm not exactly sure how it works, it does look promising. Basically it combines a measuring cup with a digital scale, meaning you can weigh items directly in the cup instead of using another gadget (and, in my case, incurring more mess). It has an impressive 4.4 pound capacity and can weigh and measure both wet and dry ingredients. Pretty darned handy, I say.

• Eastman Outdoors 38229 Reveo MariVac Food Tumbler - As many good cooks know, the key to flavor, in many cases, is a good marinade. But what happens when you have a hankering for something meaty and marinaded, and you don't have the 24 hours to let it soak? That's where the MariVac Food Tumbler comes in to play. Though it's got a bit of a hefty pricetag, just under $200, it does seem like a great way to get good flavor in a short time. Plus, something about spinning and vacuums make it feel all space-age. From Popular Science's review:

This vacuum tumbler cuts marinating time by hours, first extracting air to expand the meat´s fibers and then spinning it so that every area is exposed to your sauce of choice.

And for a glimpse at the future? How about this prototype of a cutting board with a built-in LCD screen? Hard to forget the recipe when you're staring straight at it. With planned wifi capability, this looks a bit like a curvy Apple Tablet you can cut on (if you want to take a knife to it, that is...).

Which begs the question: which way are gadgets going to go, kitchen wise, in the next few years? It seems that integration with local networks and smartphones might be the next plausible step. While there have already been some DIY hacks and jaw-droppingly expensive models available for some time, I wouldn't be surprised to see some real integration in the market as we head into the new decade that's both functional and cost-effective.

Cue fantasy of programming the coffee maker from my iPod.

The Droid You Are Looking For: Droid Knocks the iPhone from Time's Top Spot

Earlier this week, Time Magazine announced their yearly Top Ten lists, and at the head of the gadget pack was quite a surprise. The Motorola/Verizon Droid was crowned as Top Gadget of the Year—no small feat—while the iPhone languished in the 4th place position. Thankfully, the editors Lev Grossman and Peter Ha, give us a little light into their reasoning:

The Droid is a hefty beast, a metal behemoth without the gloss and finish of the iPhone, but you don't miss it. The Droid's touchscreen is phenomenally sharp and vivid, it has an actual physical (not great, but good enough) keyboard, and best of all, the Droid is on Verizon's best-of-breed 3G network. It's Android's first credible challenge to the iPhone.

How did the Droid de-throne the iPhone? Well, while much of the whole “iPhone killer” press is just clever media chatter, there’s something exciting about seeing a real competitor to the market that's important to recognize. Since 2007, when the iPhone was first made available to the public, cell phone and smartphone manufacturers have also been scrambling to come up with something to compete. It's never been a matter of getting the technology, necessarily; it's been a matter of getting the whole package right, and impressing its viability upon the public. Still, very few have risen to the challenge, and certainly none have attracted the loyalty Apple seemingly had on day one.

But for the last half of the decade, while people were tripping over themselves and pledging their first born children to get iPhones, Android has steadily gained in reputation and promise. The first release of an Android phone, the G1 by T-Mobile, was a bit lackluster. Chalk it up to T-Mobile service and, in general, the clunky design. And, as CNET observed, even the new, second-generation Android phone MyTouch still leaves much to be desired with a variety of gaps in its design including the lack of "standard 3.5 millimeter headset jack, a file manager, and camera-editing options".

So with T-Mobile still lagging behind, the buzz about a true "iPhone killer" (sometimes I feel like they're talking about Highlanders and not cell phones) has been feverishly pointing toward the new Motorola Droid, partnering with Verizon Wireless. And the editors at Time may be right, albeit a little premature in their ruling.

While their marketing strategy is certainly nowhere near as slick as the Apple approach, Droid has cleverly combined a powerful name in the cell phone game, Motorola, with a certain geeky trendiness that’s likely to appeal to a larger audience. Before the iPhone, nothing was more visible than the Motorola RAZR. Forget if the interface was horrible, it came in silver and pink and just looked like it might have fallen off of a spaceship. (I lusted after one until I finally caved and bought one, only to be so disappointed with the UI that I abandoned it for my old phone)

But now there’s no worry about bad interface since the sleek Droids use Android 2.0. And for the many customers frustrated with AT&T and T-Mobile, combining forces with Verizon wireless is a stroke of genius. It may just prove to be that alchemical mix needed to rattle the Apple from the tree. Or at least make the tree rock enough to get them worried.

It's no argument that the iPhone has forever changed the way that we think about and use our cell phones. But while it's dominated the market for the last few years, it's also done something else rather remarkable: it upped the ante. It’s exciting to see the innovation in other companies finally taking shape and to speculate about what the next decade may bring. Seeing how far Android has come in so few years is certainly refreshing. 

Acer Rises to 2nd Place in Global PC Sales, Announces Chrome OS for 2010

Acer has found itself in a very comfortable second position among global PC sales this quarter, ranking just under computer giant Hewlett-Packard. The Taiwan-based company even surpassed Dell this quarter, and reported some rather impressive numbers: shipments were up 16.6 percent over last year's quarter and 30 percent over last quarter. This is the first time an Asian OEM has held the number 2 spot. Lenovo, based in China, also experienced an impressive leap, finishing just under Dell for a fourth-place rank.

Having just purchased an Acer 23" monitor, I can't say I'm surprised at the news. The reviews for the monitor were extremely positive, and it literally blew everything in its price range out of the water in terms of size and price so even in recession mode I could afford it. And so far, I'm extremely pleased with the product.

But it's no secret that Acer's products have delivered some impressive performance over the last few years at extremely competitive prices. The key to their success, according to iSuppli principal analyst Matthew Wilkins, has to do with the burgeoning trend of smaller, more portable computer sales. In spite of the global recession, Wilkins explains that the notebook market has held strong:

"The third-quarter performances of Acer and Lenovo are just the latest development in the long-term rise of Asian manufacturers in the global PC market… The Asian manufacturers are a growing force in the global PC business due to their aggressive pricing along with their ability to quickly react and embrace new developments, such as the netbook PC."

Acer's netbooks are certainly one of their greatest strengths. For under $400, the little machines pack a punch, such as with the AspireOne, collecting just under 300 five-star reviews since its release. The newer model boasts a sleeker a design and an even longer battery life—over seven hours total. So I'd argue that it's not just a matter of aggressive pricing, but simply solid performance and competitive specifications.

While toying with the idea of buying a netbook recently, many people recommended the Acer. And after a quick visit to the local gadget store, I saw why. The keyboard is excellent, the screen is clear, and the specifications are just as good—if not better in some cases—than some of its competitors. Not to mention the price, too. Sure, it might not have a Vivienne Tam edition, but who cares? It's performance that matters in the long haul.

But Acer has some intriguing plans for the future as well, it seems, that go beyond price and specs. Earlier this month Acer announced that they are planning to release the first Chrome OS notebook, hoping to see it hit shelves some time in the next six months. While we've seen plenty of notebooks and netbooks now coming pre-installed with Linux, this is the first time Acer has gone out and announced their plans to release a Chrome OS product into the wild, as it were. A handful of other manufacturers have expressed interest to do the same, and Dell has even released an unofficial version that works with the Dell Mini 10v Netbook, but that Acer has moved this far ahead in the game is telling.

Perhaps it's beyond aggressive pricing and performance, then. Perhaps the key to surviving during and after the recession is rooted in innovation, too.

There Is No Such Thing As Too Much Backup

As the holiday season ramps up big time, the blogosphere is abuzz with all the gadgets and gizmos that you simply have to get. And while 2009 has certainly been a good year for the gadget geeks among us, there is an often forgotten but absolutely integral component to living a high-tech life: backup.

A few weeks ago, I suffered another hard drive crash on my MacBook. Yes, I said another. Technically it's the third time that it's happened, but thankfully we were able to save almost everything thanks to the Target Disk Mode recovery and disk repair. However, I was just lucky. I didn't have nearly enough backup in place, and as a result lost a few documents. And it's not the first time this has happened to me, but I swear it's going to be the last. You'd think that, having once lost nearly two week's worth of writing in one fell swoop, I'd have figured it out by now.

Let's just say the lesson has been learned. Now I'm super paranoid about backing up. Once, I figured backup was just too frustrating to deal with, but let me tell you: backup is getting cheaper and easier these days. With cloud programs like Mozy and Dropbox, auto-backups like OSX's Time Machine and Windows Backup--not to mention the wide variety of external hard drives--it's getting more and more difficult to cry innocence in times of hard drive crashes.

Remember: it's not if your hard-drive fails, it's when.

So I've developed a four-pronged approach (technically five, but I'll get to that in a second). While that might seem a little excessive, I'm of a mind that there is no such thing as too much backup.

The first wave (backup: all): My external hard drive. This doesn't have to be fancy. Just something that will get the job done and has enough space to accommodate large GarageBand files as well as photos and videos. I've been using a MyBook for a year or two, but it's nearing its end. New, bigger, faster models are easy to find including ioSafe Solo (which is fireproof and waterproof) and the slimmer Seagate FreeAgent.

The second wave (backup: all): Time Machine. Technically, this is connected to the first wave, but the best part about Time Machine is that it automatically backs everything up for me and I don't even have to think about it. To top that off, it has version memory. Some people complain that this ability to recover older documents uses up too much space but, honestly, in the era of Terabyte hard drives, it's not really an issue for me. And especially as a writer, having access to iterations of my work is extremely helpful in the long run. Now, there are plenty of other programs that serve as backup, but none of them make you feel like you're actually going back in time quite like Time Machine. For Windows there's Windows Backup as well as paid programs, and for Linux you can find a wealth of programs such as Bacula and Rsync.

The third wave (backup: precious documents): Dropbox. We used Mozy for a while, but found it was a bit clunky and didn't play nice with OSX. Then came Dropbox, and my world changed. Like Time Machine, Dropbox works in the background, behind the lines. You simply save your files directly to Dropbox—via a very handy icon and folder install—and it saves continually to cloud space. Even better? If you install Dropbox on multiple computers, you can access files across machines, and continually save versions regardless of where you're working from. And it's a bargain to boot. The basic program is free up to 2GB of space. If you need more than that, the pricing has two more tiers: Pro50 (50GB) for $9.99/mo. and Pro100 (100GB) for $19.99/mo. I can't recommend it enough.

The fourth wave (backup: the creme de la creme): I have a few files that I consider do or die, and those go on a $13 SanDisk memory stick that I carry around with me all times. If, worst case scenario, the house burns down (assuming I don't have the ioSafe Solo) and, somehow, Dropbox fails, I'll have the most recent version of my projects on hand. And to add one more layer, I email all completed drafts of short stories and novels to myself and often import into GoogleDocs. While GoogleDocs leaves much to be desired, mostly due to its inability to preserve formatting, it's still far better than having nothing left but dust and dreams.
 
While there are many choices for backup, all that matters is that you choose an approach that works for you and stick to it. There really is nothing so horrifying as facing the terror of a hard-drive crash that has potentially wiped out years of work.

Are There Really Alternatives to the iPod Touch?

Donald Bell of CNET recently profiled some solid iPod Touch competitors in the MP3 player market, especially for buyers interested in moving beyond Apple territory. And he's on the money for the most part: if you're looking for an MP3 player with excellent performance and a fantastic media experience, then you have many choices, including the Zune HD, Sony X-Series, and Samsung P3. This is especially the case if you're a music aficionado, and are looking for the absolute best sound quality available in an MP3 player; as many sites have pointed out, the iPod has never ranked particularly high. But, as with many of Apple's products, it's not just about one thing.

It's proven quite difficult to construct a true iPod Touch killer, just as phone companies have been running themselves ragged to do the same with its iPhone cousin. Apple's technology, in both cases, has moved far beyond media and music—just as the iPhone's phone nature often takes second seat to its applications and malleability. In its way, Apple has created a niche for both of its products, a niche which few companies have been able to wiggle their way into, if at all. And now with its $199 price tag (for the 8GB model), the iPod Touch is priced rather moderately in comparison to its competitors—in many cases, it's even cheaper, considering everything you get for the price.

Yes, the touch screen component is important when looking at its competitors, but the iPod Touch goes far beyond usability and playback. In fact, having been using the iPod Touch for the better part of the last two months, I've found that I think of it far less like an MP3 player and more like a netbook. Up until I started carrying around the slender little gadget, I was mooning over notebooks in spite of the fact that I already had a MacBook. The primary reasoning for wanting a netbook simply had to do connectivity. Whenever I went out in the wide, wide world, I was cut off from email, Twitter, and browsing capabilities. I wanted something lightweight and low profile that I could just slip into my bag. And for that, the iPod Touch has become absolutely indispensable.

While a netbook would be great for writing on the go, the truth of the matter is that there are very few instances where the MacBook won't suffice. So with the iPod touch, so long as there's a wifi connection, I can maintain that sense of connectivity and keep myself entertained with zillions of apps. That it happens to play music and has become central to my gym routine is an added bonus at this point.

Certainly Apple has always been at the forefront of the MP3 market, but the iPod Touch really goes far beyond its other iPods. Sure, it's basically an iPhone without the phone (though with Skype capabilities, that line is blurring increasingly; and without a contract, no less). Add to that, the third generation has video capabilities, too, we're really talking about a pocket computer. With full access to the App Store, and continually improving keyboard usability, I wouldn't be surprised if the iPod Touch could indeed work well as a writing platform. As it is, it's great for writing down notes or ideas for later. Not to mention the games and child distraction value, which it has in spades.

But back to the competitors. As Bell suggests, if you're looking for an app-rich internet browser, there is the Archos5, an Android-based tablet starting in the neighborhood of $379.99. And while it's certainly larger than the iPod Touch, there are certainly a number of drawbacks. As the CNET reviewer sums up: "The Archos 5 is a great video player, but it disappoints as a premium Android Internet tablet and GPS unit." At that price, you'd probably be better off just getting a netbook.

When it comes down to it yes, there are better MP3 players out there, if you're talking about sound and sound only. But for a gadget that keeps you connected and entertained, there really is no other substitution.