Surround Yourself With Sound:

No matter how wonderful a movie is, or how amazing a game is, it will suck if the sound quality is bad! Logitech knows this and hence has come out with G51, a 5.1 speaker system, which features 360 degree surround sound with dual Matrix mode.
This allows it to split the audio signal into six channels of sound, without degrading the audio quality. With 155 watts of total RMS(root mean square) power, the G51 speaker system is optimised to deliver high-performance audio experiences.
Get ready to get blasted!

LAP TALK:

HP’s latest notebook designed for mobile professionals comes with powerful computing capabilities, convenient security and multimedia features, all wrapped up in an elegant black shell. The Pavilion dv3000 Entertainment Notebook PC is designed to be the one notebook that executives should consider when ollking for a mobile workstation. It’ll allow them not only to work comfortably but also to enjoy all forms of multimedia entertainment. The wide-screen display notebook is powered by 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9300, a 160 GB hard disk and 8X Super Multi LightScribe Double Layer (8.5 GB) DVD+RW+R Writer. In addition, the notebook also offers support for the second HDD and Flash-based solid state storage drives. Let’s work!

Racing Grannies

The track doesn’t look unusual, but the racers do. This racing set comes with two “high-octane” grannies who race around a 10-piece track in their wheel chairs. The grannies are 3 1/4″ high and the track is 15½” x 25½, when assembled. Four AA batteries are required, but not included.

You might be asking…what on earth? Coincidentally, this set can be purchased on the website What On Earth for $19.95.

The Inchworm

Millions of parents around the world have a dilemma. They are tired of buying new shoes for their kids. As any caregiver knows, a child’s feet can grow at an astonishingly fast rate. With Inchworm shoes, parents can rest easy. By pressing a button on the side of the shoe, the Inchworm expands to grow with your child’s foot. They grow one full size, in half size increments and are targeted for kids 3-9 years old. The innovative iFit technology allows children to keep their shoes longer than they would regularly.

Although not very attractive, the Inchworm is innovative. The “grow” button is child-proof but adult-friendly. It’s easy enough to adjust, yet durable enough for extended wear. Faced with initial skepticism in the US, American inventor Hank Miller took his idea overseas to Europe.

Currently, the Inchworm comes in eighteen different colors and styles. The most interesting is the “Chomper” which is a high topped boot, and the “Cruncher” which frighteningly resembles the popular 80’s moon boot. I wondered why the Inchworm was met with so much skepticism in the US. “That’s strange,” was the general comment I received while pitching the idea of the Inchworm. “My kid is three and wears Nikes,” another person chimed in. Maybe some people aren’t ready for tennis shoes that expand, but Inchworm is an excellent idea for parents who are tired of running to the store.

Sony Handycam HDR-HC7

Good: Excellent video and performance; satisfying photo quality; a decent set of manual controls for the target audience; bundled FireWire cable.

Bad: Annoying touch screen interface.

The bottom line: A great HD camcorder for deep-pocketed leisure shooters, as long as you like the Sony Handycam HDR-HC7’s touch screen interface.

Price range: $899.95 - $1,099.99

Manufacturer: Sony Electronics, Inc.
Part number: HDRHC7

General
Product Type: Camcorder

Digital Zoom: 20 x

Optical Sensor Size: 1/2.9 in

Optical Sensor Type: ClearVid CMOS

Min Illumination: 0 lux

Digital Video Format: MPEG-2

Special Effects: Sepia, Still, Trail, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Skintone, Cinematic, Old Movie, Flash Motion, Negative Art, Solarization

Image Stabilizer: Optical (Super Steady Shot)

Digital Scene Transition: Black fader, White fader, Mosaic fader, Monotone fader

Min Shutter Speed: 1/2 sec

Max Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec

Shooting Modes: Digital photo mode

Shooting Programs: Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Portrait mode, Sports lesson

White Balance: Custom, Presets, Automatic

White Balance Presets: Indoor, Outdoor

Exposure Modes: Program, Automatic

Camera Flash: Built-in flash

Widescreen Video Capture: Yes

Main Features

Camcorder Effective Still Resolution: 3 megapixels

Camcorder Interpolated Still Resolution: 6.1 megapixels

Color Support: Color

Still Image Format: JPEG
Remote Control: Remote control - Infrared
TV Tuner: None

Memory / Storage

Floppy Drive: None

Image Storage: JPEG 2848 x 2136

Media Type: Mini DV (HDV)

Recording Speed: LP, SP

Lens System

Type
Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 54 mm - F/1.8-2.9
Focal Length
5.4 mm - 54 mm
Lens Aperture
F/1.8-2.9
Optical Zoom
10 x
Lens system type
Zoom lens
Min focal length
5.4 mm
Max focal length
54 mm
Lens Manufacturer
Carl Zeiss
Filter Size
37 mm
Focus Adjustment
Manual, Automatic
Zoom Adjustment
Motorized drive

Additional Features

DV input
Yes
Low Lux / Night Mode
Yes
Digital Still Camera Function
Yes
Additional Features
PictBridge support, Accessories hot shoe, Touch-screen control
Remote control
Remote control - Infrared
Software
Sony Picture Motion Browser

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Type
LCD
Viewfinder Resolution
123,000 pixels

Display

Type
LCD display - 2.7 in - Color

Digital Player (Recorder)

Type
None

Microphone

Type
Microphone - Built-in

Connections

Connector Type
IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK), Control-L (LANC), Composite video/audio output, USB, Component video output, Headphones, Microphone, HDMI
Expansion Slot(s)
1 x Memory Stick PRO Duo

Audio Input

Audio input type
Microphone
Microphone type
Built-in
Microphone Operation Mode
Stereo

Miscellaneous

Carrying Case
None
Cables Included
A/V cable, Component video cable, USB cable, IEEE 1394 cable

Power

Power Device
Power adapter - External

Battery

Supported Battery
1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )

Manufacturer Warranty

Service & Support
1 year warranty
Service & Support Details
Limited warranty - Labor - 90 days, Limited warranty - Parts - 1 year

Viewfinder / Display

Display Form Factor
Rotating
Display Format
211,000 pixels
Viewfinder Color Support
Color

Physical Characteristics

Width
3.2 in
Depth
5.4 in
Height
3.2 in
Weight
1.5 lbs

Minature Drum Set

Don’t have room for a drum set, but have the need to jam? Finger Drums Desktop Miniature Drum Set may be for you.

This drum set is entertaining with many features including sounds, lights, record and playback. By finger touch, each drum lights up and generates a beat. You can record and play it back.

Batteries are included and for those who lack natural rhythm, the set also comes with pre-recorded beats. The set sells for $24.99.

MagicJacks are Economical, Easy and Fun to Use

Unlimited, free, local and long distance in the U.S., crisp clear voice communication, caller ID, call waiting, voicemail and more for only $39.95 for the entire year?! And it’s totally legal? All I can say is wow!!

I was not in need of an extra phone when I looked into the MagicJack. I actually have enough phones lines, including my cell. I had not yet seen the infomercials either. I do have a fascination with technology and gadgets that are useful, economical and easy for anyone to install.

The MagicJack only required me to plug it into my USB port of my computer (I have Windows Vista). A telephone (or headset) plugs in to the phone jack on other end of the MagicJack and the software is automatically downloaded. You get a free phone number and can choose the state you want your number to be in, as well as the area code (if available) and the prefix. It provides the remaining four numbers. Very easy.

Also, I’ve used it on a different computer (a Mac) just to see what would happen. It worked very well also, appearing on the screen with my information and I was able to make all kinds of phone calls in the U.S. So now I know I can carry it with me if I know I’m going to be around a computer. A handset telephone or headset is also needed in order to speak to someone. Just make sure the computer you use has a high speed Internet connection.

There is a special 911 feature with MagicJack, good to set up at the beginning. Since this device is connected to your computer, it’s always a good idea to have a backup telephone in case of an emergency.

One of the many features I appreciate is being able to check my voicemail from any phone, just as professionally as any other telephone service with this feature. One needs to create a password first, as expected, and I can listen to my messages from any phone, or save, delete or forward the messages or change folders. Yes, one can create separate folders for work, family and friends (and more),

I noticed after creating the voice mail, MagicJack creates a .WAV file which is sent as an attachment to your email address. I downloaded one to listen to a message I received through my computer speaker. There can be some useful applications for this feature…

Since I’ve had my MagicJack for only a few days, I haven’t explored everything about this new, fun device yet. For example, there is always the international call feature one can add at any tine, which provides very low cost, international service. More features can be found on their website So far, my experience has been exciting. If I want to renew this for another year, the cost is only $19.95. What a unique gift this would make!

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