JVC Revisits PND with the KV-PX701/KV-PX501

JVC was turned off to the whole portable GPS thing earlier this year, citing that the market was driven exclusively by price and was over saturated with new manufactures jumping on the GPS bandwagon. JVC, despite this earlier proclamation, is set to drop two new Personal Navigation Devices, the JVC KV-PX701/KV-PX501, in the UK by the end of the month. Apparently, the market stabilized a bit. Their plan back in May, stick with in-dash systems. Not a bad idea. Makes me wonder what market research changed their minds. Integrated in-dash multi-systems would seem to be the way the market is going. Read Death of PND. I mean, who really wants a bunch of wires going every which way, cluttering things, and suction cups that don’t hold well breaking their PND. Not to mention the attentiveness of thieves to cars with left behind units in them. JVC has demonstrated their change of heart by releasing the JVC KV-PX701/KV-PX501 the pricier model, the JVC KV-PX701 is tricked out with a 4.3in screen, 400Mhz Samsung processor, SiRF StarIII chipset (according to the chip maker this chip will “provide location awareness under dense foliage or urban canyons” and uses less power to do it), Traffic Message Channel (TMC), and will run you $565. The lower of the two boasts a 3.5in screen, a MediaTech Chip, same processor and the TMC is built into the car mount. This makes sense since you only need this info while driving; this unit will run you $495. No word on a U.S. release. Via.
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Motorola Hopes the RAZR2, Raises their Stock

posted by Andrew Harris

The once best selling RAZR, was badly in need of a makeover. Enter RAZR2. The RAZR slim phone's popularity seemed to coincide directly with the resurgence of skinny pants. I bet someone at Motorola overheard “With this bulky phone in my pocket...my silhouette will just be ruined”, or a comment similar to this. This in turn may have helped initiate the creation of the RAZR (it most likely was market research but this is more romantic). Cell phones are fashion accessories. It only makes sense that one inspired the other. This phone allows its users to make a unique fashion statement and download a ring tone that lets everyone know their musical taste. Thus, successfully appeasing ones desire to express individuality. Well, as much as one can with a phone. The RAZR2 has been upgraded not only in looks but in functionality as well with the larger external display, 2GB storage (1000 songs), 2.0-megapixal camera, Window Media Player 11(200 online music stores), along with an upgraded mobile browser. The RAZR2 styling is eye catching and elegant and feels great in you hand while talking on it. It is a slick piece, a little too slick. My only gripe is the grip, it's the diamond cut pattern sideband. I would like to have a rubber grip just for peace of mind. I can envision getting one of those stress inducing calls my palms start to sweat and the next thing I know I'm picking up my dented or scratched RAZR2 from the ground. Though, I've dropped every phone I have ever owed...so these fears stem from that more than the RAZR2's design.
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And in this Corner...Cuisinart Griddler Jr.

posted by Andrew Harris

Marketers are an insidious bunch. The persuader who was responsible for convincing folks to snap up cheaply made, hard to clean grills (with an ugly mug on the box) no doubt is sitting pretty these days. On the other hand, Cuisinart products have a reputation, and it's a good one. No celebrity is going to change that. This month the Cuisinart Griddler is birthing an offspring, the Griddler Jr. So, since you just moved into to that two million dollar condo overlooking the park. It's time to pick which appliances are going to match your stainless steel counter tops and Ikea shelves. Cuisinart's look is classic contemporary so it is up to your discerning aesthetic judgment. Cuisinart Griddler Jr. is sophisticated enough for the seasoned foodie with temperature control, removable grill plates, multiple configurations(grill, contact grill, panini press), also it's straightforward enough for the non-culinary types (raw food in cooked food out). So even if your real estate doesn't exude good taste and class your electric grill will.
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No, not the LCD...the Sound Projector

[image courtesy Yamaha]

posted by Andrew Harris

Now I preface this post by asking all audiophiles not to cringe in disgust. Its another all-in-one audio unit. Yamaha, with the YSP-3000, hopes to make some multi-speaker system shoppers convert and embrace their vision of surround sound. Which is a singular sound projection unit. It uses all the latest innovations from a variety of renowned sound labs. These technologies simulate a multi-speaker system's sound, without the wires or the installation contractor.

The beams of sound shooting out the thing effectively make it true multi-channeled. What can you listen to on it? The Yamaha YSP-3000 sound projector has more connections than a Columbian drug lord...mini-jack, HDMI, XMHD ready, FM tuner, and an iPod interface(w/YDS-10 dock)all presented in a deceptively simple package.

I don't think that sound system installers are going to lose sleep over this one. Although, if you're short on space(as many city dwellers are)than this sound system could be a valuable space saver. I mean really, if you're so short on space that you're TV is two feet away from you couch...than you mostly likly don't need powerful multi-speaker sound system. So this makes perfect sense.

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Cuisinart's Café Customization

image courtesy of Cuisinart]

posted by Andrew Harris

In the option filled world of today it can all be a little much…sometimes you just want to roll over and go to sleep. Well wake up! Your coffeemaker needs your direction. Due out mid month is the Cuisinart SS-1. Not only can this jazzy java maker, brew a perfect cup…it’s your customized cup of joe. Whether you‘re a heavily caffeinated connoisseur or content with a regular level of caffeine in your bloodstream, the Cuisinart single serve coffeemaker has you covered. This Cuisinart has taken single serve coffee brewing to an art form, 60oz reservoir, charcoal filtration, cup size selector (4-12oz), flavor selector (regular or bold), and the Cuisinart SS-1 uses coffee pods or grounds. Who says to many options is a bad thing.

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"Nobel" Physis...Affects Everyone

The technology in your iPod Classic just won the Nobel Prize for Physics this morning. Now, before you start calling the award, the “Novel” Prize for Physics because it’s associated with such a frivolous technology, the iPod just happens to be one of many beneficiaries of a phenomenon called giant magnetoresistance. Working independently two scientists, Albert Fert (French) and Peter Gruenberg (German), shared the honors of this prestigious prize, and split the 1.5 mil. Giant magnetoresistance’s effect basically amplifies minute changes in magnetism and generates larger changes in electrical resistance. You know that magic hard drives use to store data with, magnetically recorded electrical signals; well, giant magnetoresistance makes smaller drives with fainter magnetic signals (fainter because of there size) possible due to its amplification properties. The technology was first applied in 1997 and became standard shortly after. The ramifications of these discoveries are felt far and wide. Just think about the amount of tiny hard drives in use in the world…billions of bits of data whose storage is all dependent on the work of these two scientists. Now, if that’s not “Nobel” not much in this world is.
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Sony's Flash Recorder Surpasses DAT Quality

The Sony Professional Portable 24-bit Linear Audio Recorder is a great addition to you mobile multimedia recording studio, you know that one you carry around all day ready to fire up at the drop of a new gadget. Bloggers, podcasters, reporters, musicians, and maybe the occasional aural artist would seem to be the audience for the Sony PCM-D50.

High quality recording is no problem here; bit rates vary from 22 kHz/16 bits to 96 kHz/ 24 bits. The available recording time corresponds with the quality of the recording and the memory present. With the 4Gb that comes built in the recorder it is a formidable foe recording up to 13hrs, but add a memory stick and you're recording long after other recorders have retreated in defeat.

Signal to noise ratio is rather low producing what Sony classifies as "noise-free" recording. Due to this low signal to noise ratio first time testers have found the handling noise was greatly reduced, if not eliminated, which is not the case with some other recorder in the same price range.

The recording format is your standard .WMA with playback in the same format or .MP3. The recorder connects via high speed USB, drag and drop on Mac/Windows. The real gems of the system are the built in condenser microphones these are prefect for the on the street interview and relatively any other application, but if these don’t do it for you, you can plug an external microphone. Be forewarned, if your external microphone requires power, the Sony PCM-D50 doesn’t provide any additional power so unless you what to drop some extra cash on an adapter...stick with the built-in jump offs. The list price is $599.

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LG Voyager set to Stun Mode

[image courtesy of Verizon Wireless]

posted by Andrew Harris

Even if you’re suffering option overload when it comes to wireless handsets, read on; one seems to float to the top. Now you may ask yourself what does this new touch screen wonder device have that the iPhone doesn’t have? LG’s Voyager has physical keyboard, for one…well a QWERTY keypad, removable SD memory expandable to 8 GB, and Bluetooth connectivity. Needless to say, LG’s latest handset, Voyager, is much more than an iPhone wantabe. Verizon Wireless is hoping that the stocking will be stuffed in their favor this holiday season, promising Voyagers to be in stores by Thanksgiving. Mobile media addicts will get their fix in the usually sundry ways, including Verizon’s high speed wireless broadband with HTML browsing capabilities. Seems as if you can only watch V-Cast videos, but really they have most anything you want to watch on v-cast. As for the music playback it’s much more versatile supporting .mp3, .wma, & .acc, and music downloading is “quick and easy”. LG is banking, not on hype and aesthetics; they’re more about form following function. So satisfy you left brain and be sensible, buy for features not for hype.

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Panasonic puts Plasma in its Place

[image courtesy of Panasonic]

posted by Andrew Harris

Bigger displays, better picture resolutions, cheaper prices…there‘s something to be said for sitting on an large electronics purchase decision, until conditions are just right. If you know your purchase isn’t going to be the first on the block, but it will be the best value or the best tested; than you’re the type of shopper that likes waiting for that quintessential moment when…better and cheaper is a reality. Bigger only comes into play where desired as in HDTV’s and computer displays. How does 50inches sound? Consumer Reports announced yesterday the independent lab’s test results for flat screen plasmas and LCD’s. The Panasonic sets faired quite well overall and the Panasonic 50-inch TH-50PZ700U flew off with “Best Flat Screen Ever”, never has Consumer Reports bestowed this honor to a flat screen, the Panasonic 50-inch TH-50PZ700U scored big on the “full HD” 1920x1080/1080p resolution capabilities. This drove the high rating from testers. They noted the color clarity and the richness of the immersion experience with the Panasonic 50-inch TH-50PZ700U. It scored high even when displaying in broadcast or DVD picture quality. So, flat panel shoppers measure up that wall above your old CRT TV and call the city to schedule your recycling date, because the time has come my frugal friend. Can’t you almost hear you’re friends whining when you hit the power switch and have to kick them out?

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Kenwood’s Foray into PMPs

posted by Andrew Harris D55

[images courtesy of Kenwood]

Kenwood’s leap into the competitive market of portable media players (PMPs) is a slim, minimally design, and visually attractive offering. The Kenwood “Media Keg’s” claim to fame is the high attention to sound quality that is synonymous with Kenwood, plus they don’t skimp on the output end. The headset is an ear canal type, not cinchy “earbuds” so once the unit is paid for you don’t have to replace the supplied equipment in order to get the full enjoyment of the player. Music/Data transfer is drag and drop or uses Windows Media Player. Supported file formats are MP3 & WMA with DRM compliancy. The “Kegs” will come in 1&2 Gigs capacities (M1G/M2G)and two design configurations (D55/D50). The D55’s seem to be a more seamless in their look and come in sliver, black, and red…D50's D50

are a bit bubblier and are available in red, white, and blue. The new PMPs’ prices are listed as “open” by Kenwood. Contrary to what the color line up would suggest the U.S. market availability has not been announced, but Kenwood’s new PMPs are being rolled out in Japan this month. Looks like you’ll have to get on Facebook and hit up your Japanese friends if you want to be an early catcher of one of these.

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