Wize Blog

Apple Releases A Brand New iPod Shuffe

 

What do you think of the new iPod Shuffle? I'm a fan of "The Apple Experience" and just like all of their previous releases, this one is full of all the great PR, display ads, commercials, etc., but this release also has some interesting aspects to it.

First of all the size of the iPod has shrunk even more than the previous ones and is smaller than the size of an average house key! The access controls are now located on the right ear bud headphone cord, which is probably going to be the reason for contention. Let me explain. For now at least, you have to use Apple's own headphones in order to control this device. Oh, but did you just shell out $300 for Beats by Dre? Well as Engadget has pointed out, you'd need to get another $20-$30 adapter to make that work!

I've already spoken to a few people and over and over I keep hearing:

"Sure, but what is apple thinking? It may look super sexy, but where's the usability? You can't just pick it up and start listening to music on it. Also, I doubt people want to pay $20-30 for an adapter to use their existing in-ear or wireless headphones. Two years ago, when people had more expendable income, they could get away with it, but I don't think now.

The one cool feature that has promise is the new VoiceOver feature they've introduced. It's easy to read online reviews about it and to read Apple's own description of the technology, but this to me is just one of those things where you have to try it out yourself. The best way to test this feature and figure out if it's as good as it seems is to get out on a treadmill and determine for yourself whether it's really going to keep the Shuffle as one of the best MP3 players for working out.

Creative Labs 1 GB Zen Nano Plus MP3 Player Review

If you are looking for an inexpensive flash based player then the Creative 1GB Zen Nano Plus is the player for you. This player is selling for $109.  It offers an FM tuner and will record from various sources. These sources include FM radio, internal microphone and a line-in port. The mini-USB port allows you to sync tracks using USB 2.0. This is done by simply dragging files to the device folders but can also be done using media players. The dial feature allows you to easily thumb through files and songs. It is also easy to see the names thanks to the Zen Nano’s backlit LCD display. There are many files that are supported by the player; these include MP3, Audible and WMA.

The Zen Nano Plus will produce less distortion and noise than many other players on the market. This player has earned a high overall score for its audio quality. It does use AAA batteries as a power source. It is rated to run 18 hours on each battery. There is no key-lock feature on this player so it will be possible that you could accidentally turn it on when placing it in your pocket or bag.

Latest Devices information provided by Devicepedia, guest author of the Wize Blog.

Brookstone Inflatable Travel U-Pillow

Do you love listening to music while swimming? Are you afraid of ruining the radio if it gets wet? Do you have the radio on near the house and get tired of getting in and out of the pool to change the channel or volume, just to drag dirt and grass into the pool? These are problems that many people have experienced in the past. There is now a product that will solve all of these problems. Brookstone has developed an inflatable radio pillow for the pool!

Now you will be able to listen to the radio right there in the pool thanks to this inflatable, water-resistant pillow. These pillows are made by Brookstone. You will be able to pick up AM/FM transmissions, so you will be able to catch whatever type of music you love to listen to. The pillow combines technology with something that is comfortable at the same time. With just a simple touch of a button, you can change the channel or volume. These pillows are great for the beach or any pool. It can make your aquatic experience a happy and relaxing one. So lay back, relax and let the music take you to paradise!

This post was written by Devicepedia, guest author of the Wize Blog

Trekstor i.Beat Organix Limited Edition Gold MP3 Player

Music is something that is universally known and shared. The way we listen to music has changed from something big as a way of listening to something that can fit in your hand. We first only had big and bulky stereos but now technology has advanced to being able to listen to music on devices that can fit anywhere. MP3 players are widely found because they are small and can be taken anywhere. If you are one of the lucky few, you can order custom MP3 players that can be tailored to anything you desire. The Trekstor i.Beat Organix Limited Edition Gold MP3 player is an example of a custom order.

It was custom ordered by a Russian-Canadian billionaire. The MP3 player has 63 diamonds and covered in 18-karat gold. It is a 1 GB memory, can play multiple forms of music files (including MP3, WMA, WAV, ASF and OGG files), has two headphone jacks, a radio, alarm clock, stopwatch and a voice recorder. It is being sold on Amazon but does come with a hefty price tag. This MP3 player is considered the world’s most expensive MP3 player. They are a limited edition so if you want one, you must act now before they are all gone!

This post was written by Devicepedia, guest author of the Wize Blog

T-Mobile Launches Android Phone

Today's the day. The Google-run G1 phone, the Android, has arrived, which means people have actually seen the phone in real life after months of anticipation. 

The first thing you might wonder is why do they call this phone an Android. Well, Android is a software platform for mobile phones and other devices. Google and a slew of other companies, including Intel, Motorola and Qualcomm, developed the platform, which is based on a Linux operating system. Android includes a browser similar to Safari, Apple computers' browser; a media support platform for handling audio, video and still pictures and a GPS navigation system. The Android platform is open source, which means it can run 3rd party applications. For example, a developer will be offering GoCart, a program that scans a barcode with the phone's camera. After scanning the product, the program finds comparable prices of that product at nearby stores. 

Other features of the G1 phone include: touch screen platform; 3 MP camera with auto-focus; customizable screen; QWERTY keyboard; Google applications such as maps, instant messaging, calendar, G-mail and YouTube; Google search, video playback, 3G network and WiFi access and access to Android Market, where you can get those nifty applications. 

The G1 phone comes out in a month (Oct. 22). It will sell for $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile. The G1 phone uses 3G networking in major metro areas and G1 for areas outside the 3G service. Both services offer different capabilities. More info here.

LPlayer Reviewed

PCmag.com has a detailed review out about LPlayer, an MP3 player that’s similar to the iPod Nano.

 

The review said, “the player offers solid file support wrapped in a good-looking package.”

 

 The 2.36 inch face is covered by a screen, so you have to hold your LPlayer on the side while you watch a video. The player has only two buttons, one for power and the other for volume. To flick items around on the screen you push down on the sides and corners of the screen.

 

The player has a mic and a mini USB port so you can hook it up to your PC. The device plays MP3 and WMA files for audio and WMV9 SP, Xvid SP, and MPEG-4 SP for video.

 

The earphones that come with the player should be replaced with better ones according to the review.

 

Also, coming with the player is a FM radio.

 

The player’s battery life is about 12 hours.

What is Tenori-On?

 
Tenori-On, at $1,200 has to be something special, doesn't it? Well, for starters, Tenori-On is a digital musical instrument. I'm listening to the video about it now and the sounds it comes up with appear to be post-technological if there could be a name for it.

This is something people could play with all day, provided they are in a space away from others to listen in solo.

So, what is this device already? Here's what the Web site says: "TENORI-ON.
A 16x16 matrix of LED switches allows everyone to play music intuitively, creating a "visible music" interface."

I get it now, do you?

Palm Centro Picks Up Verizon

Now that the news is out that you can use Verizon on a Palm Centro, we can take a look at how it all pans out. First, there's a video that details the Palm Centro here.

Next, the pricing info:

The phone costs $99
You have to sign a two-year agreement.
You can pay an additional $30 for the Internet connection.
It's $30 more to get the Internet on your laptop with a Verizon connection.

Last, the ratings. Overall based on 35 reviews at wize.com, the phone receives a 4.5/5.

Most people really recommend the phone's MP3 player and they're talking about how easy it is to use, its keyboard functionality, its bluetooth feature and its durability.

Memory Options for Your Devices

In the video below the narrator goes over all the different memory cards you can use for your devices such as MP3 players and digital cameras. 

Next, he covers SD (secure digital) memory card, memory sticks (usually only for Sony), Compact Flash, and, last, he covers memory card readers.

PCs in Your Pocket from Sony

Shipping any day now will be the mylo™ Personal Communicator from Sony. The device lets you, "connect up to WiFi hot spots, talk, and surf the Web without contracts," according to Sony's Web site.

The device uses LAN (Local Area Network) technology. You make phone calls using Skype®, which lets users make calls to other people on Skype and offers an inexpensive service for landline calls.

You can IM people using AOL, Yahoo or Google. There's a built-in 1.3MP camera, too.

The device is an MP3 player and plays video. You can download music that you've purchased from online music stores.

Mylo comes in either black or white. 

It costs about $300 and can be purchased on Sony's Web site.