Written by GreatDay on Saturday, July 31, 2010
More Mobile Capacity—Less Bulk

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SanDisk® Cruzer® Blade™ USB flash drive

My ever increasing list of email newsletters just informed me today that SanDisk has yet another addition to their ever decreasing size of USB sticks. Now you can put one of these puppies on your keychain and it won’t take up any more room than a nail clipper. Your choice of 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB variations. Right now, presumably because they are new, prices start at $14.99 and go up from there, but we all know that deals will appear eventually to fall in line with the other dwindling and current storage drive tariffs. In the meantime, need and convenience may prevail. so now you know.

Check out the Cruzer Blade HERE.

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Written by cervelli on Saturday, July 31, 2010
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Written by brian_houghton on Saturday, July 31, 2010
Question of the Day: What was the worst fate of one of your handhelds?

Overhearing a friend recount how their phone fell into water, I had to wonder how many times something like this actually happens.  Not to try to jinx myself, but what is the worst fate one of your phones or handhelds has ever met?

So far, knock on wood, nothing horrible has happened to any of mine.

Leave your story in the comments below!

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Written by ChrisSpera on Friday, July 30, 2010
Amazon Kindle 3 vs Apple iPad – Worth it or Not?

The Amazon Kindle – THE (dedicated) eReader of choice for a great many people. Small and portable, its mobile broadband capabilities make it one of the best ways to shop for and read digital content on the go. As of today – $139 for the Wi-Fi only version.

The Apple iPad – in many ways it looks like Flav-a-Flave’s iPhone (especially if you hang it off a REALLY big gold rope chain). In many ways, its a ground breaking, Enterprise encroaching, totally end-user friendly, Star Trek PAD that has set the whole netbook/tablet/computing world on its ear.  As of today- $499 for the Wi-Fi only version.

I’m not going to pit these in a head to head review, but I AM going to bring a couple key points to light.  Let’ take a quick look at what both devices provide and then I’m going to let you decide if one, the other or both devices might be best for you.

The Amazon Kindle 3
Smaller, thinner, faster, lighter and less expensive.  In a nutshell, that’s what Amazon is hoping is going attract you to its native e-reader as opposed to an Android phone, a PC, an iPhone or an iPad. The Amazon Kindle forewent a color screen and tablet based touch screen in its 3rd generation ebook reader. Instead, it chose to make updates to its eInk technology and screen, providing for a sharper screen and a smoother page turning experience. At $139 for the Wi-Fi version, you can still shop and purchase content directly from the Amazon Kindle Store right on the device; but now, you’re going to be at a Starbucks, MickeyD’s or other Wi-Fi hot spot.

Here are a rundown of the Kindle 3′s features:

  • All-New, High-Contrast E-Ink Screen – 50% better contrast than any other e-reader
  • Read in Bright Sunlight – No glare
  • New and Improved Fonts – New crisper, darker fonts
  • New Sleek Design – 21% smaller body while keeping the same 6" size reading area
  • 17% Lighter – Only 8.5 ounces, weighs less than a paperback
  • Battery Life of Up to One Month – A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off
  • Double the Storage – Up to 3,500 Books
  • Built-In Wi-Fi – Shop and download books in less than 60 seconds
  • 20% Faster Page Turns – Seamless reading
  • Enhanced PDF Reader – With dictionary lookup, notes, and highlights
  • New WebKit-Based Browser – Browse the web over Wi-Fi (experimental)

The 3G version offers FREE wireless access for shopping and web browsing for $189.

 

The Apple iPad
Apple’s iPad is effectively a giant iPhone.  However, with iBooks and the iBookstore, the iPhone, as well as the iPad, is a native eBook reader. However, this is an eBook reader with the power of the iPhone/iPad. Applications, music reader, movie player, picture viewer in full 9.7"LED-backlit glossy, widescreen goodness. The cool thing here is that the iPad can also run the Amazon Kindle application.

Let’s think about that for a second – The iPad can run the Amazon Kindle application, meaning that it functions as a Kindle as well as an iPod, portable movie player, native eBook reader (iBooks) as well as a Kindle.

 

Brass Tacks
And that kids, is the point.  What is Amazon trying to sell – Kindles or Content?  If its Kindles, they’re doing a crummy job.  The Kindle 1 was good for what it did. The Kindle 2 was an improvement in form factor and device performance; but not necessarily in device.  Something akin to the iPad probably would have been a better move.  The Kindle 3 may be cheaper, faster, smaller and lighter; but it is NOT an iPad competitor, and in the long run, never will be, at least NOT with the screen that it has.

You’re NOT gonna use it to watch movies, surf the web, send and receive mail or anything else other than read on it. Using it for notations WITHOUT a touch screen seems awkward at best. Reading in black and white isn’t a big deal; but even for $139, I want it to do more than it does…and largely because  it CAN.

It surfs the web…for free. It plays music. Its light, fast and quick.  I haven’t even seen the device; and already I think its nothing more than a Kindle 2 with a fresh coat of paint. Sadly, I don’t see the Kindle lasting very much longer; but that’s no big deal… Here’s why.

Amazon’s business here is the CONTENT. It will continue to sell Kindle books even if the Kindle hardware takes a dirt nap.  The Kindle application, available in the Apple AppStore, the Android Market and for the PC will insure that you can buy, sync and read Kindle books for years and YEARS to come.  The application insures that when the Kindle hardware finally dies (and it will, kids… its just a matter of time…UNLESS Amazon decides to release a <pick a platform> tablet/iPad competitor of its own), that the business will go on.

If you buy an iDevice from Apple, you can read iBooks or Kindle books and won’t have to worry about leaving content behind on your new device.  If you buy an Android phone or tablet, your Kindle books will sync there.  Its really a win-win situation for them…

I see the Kindle 3 being the last TRUE Kindle device. Next time, if its not an Android (or other platform) tablet/device, I think the hardware will do VERY poorly.  My Apple iDevice, Android device or PC can do everything that my Kindle can do and more and still do it (in just about every form factor except my desktop PC) in an easy to use form that is really much more appealing.

What do you think? Why not join us in the discussion, below and sound off…

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Written by dgoldring on Friday, July 30, 2010
DXG Announces 3D Pocket Camcorder and 3D Media Player Bundle

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If you are one of those people who likes to watch images literally flying off the screen, then DXG has a camera for you.  Now, we have covered DXG quite extensively here at JAMM, and I have been extremely impressed watching how far they have come from some of the early cameras we looked at.  Their latest, however, really goes far beyond anything we have seen before.  This one lets you record video in full 3D.  You can even use the bundled 3D media player to replay all of your exciting vacation videos and immerse your friends in that trip you took to Cancun last month.  Keep reading for the full press release from DXG.

With blockbuster hits like James Cameron’s Avatar opening consumers eyes to an entirely new world of 3D entertainment, it’s no surprise that demand for 3D technology and content is on the rise, with 3DTV sales expected to grow 142% between 2010 and 2011.* Arming consumers with the ability to now create their own 3D content, DXG (www.dxgusa.com) today launched the DXG 3D pocket camcorder and 3D 7-inch media player bundle, allowing for easy filming and playback of 3D video and pictures with no glasses required. The 3D camcorder and media player bundle is available now for pre-sale atwww.hammacher.com for $599.99.

Bring Your Videos and Pictures to Life in Full 3D

For the first time ever, you will be able to create home movies in 3D and relive each moment in lifelike detail thanks to the new DXG 3D pocket camcorder and media player. With the camcorder’s compact pistol-grip design and flexible playback options, you can instantly view, record and playback 3D video or photos directly on the 3.2-inch LCD camcorder display, on the included 3D 7-inch media player, or directly on your 3DTV. Supporting up to 16GB high-capacity SD cards, you can record hours of summertime fun in 3D and take 3D 5-megapixel still images, as well as capture 2D video and pictures.

Enjoying your newly created 3D memories is a cinch with the included DXG 3D media player. Boasting a vivid 7-inch LCD display, glasses are not required to see your video and photos pop out and come to life in full 3D on the player. Convenient touch screen keys and remote control of the media player not only allow you to view your 3D and 2D video and photo masterpieces with ease, but also let you control the built-in MP3 music player, alarm clock and calendar. Also included in the package are HDMI and AV cables for easy playback of your summertime shenanigans directly on your 3DTV.

“DXG is excited to be at the forefront of the 3D digital content revolution and release a product that allows people to easily create their own 3D masterpieces,” said Paul Goldberg,senior vice president of sales and marketing at DXG USA. “We specifically designed our 3D camcorder and media player bundle with the consumer in mind to create an all-in-one, fun and easy way to record and watch life’s adventures in 3D.”

DXG-5D7V 3D Pocket Camcorder Specifications:

v Availability: Pre-sale at www.hammacher.com; Shipment date of August 6, 2010

v Price: 3D Camcorder & Media Player Bundle – $599.99

v Dimensions: 1.63” (W) x 4.88” (H) x 2.93” (D)

v LCD: 3.2-inch 3D TFT Display

v Storage: 128MB Built-in Memory; Supports High-Capacity SD Cards up to 16GB

v Video Resolution & Format: VGA Standard 3D Dual-Lens Technology; H.264 AVI File Format

v Still Photo Resolution & Format: 5-megapixel; JPEG format

v Power Supply: NP-60 Li-ion Battery

v Zoom: 4X Digital Zoom (2D mode only)

v Connections: HDMI interface and cable; USB/AV cable for connecting to the TV or to your PC or Mac

v Software Included:  3D Video Conversion Software

v Other Items Included in Package: 3D Media Player, Camcorder case, HDMI cable, USB/AV cable, NP-60 Li-ion battery, battery charger

DXG 3D Media Player Specifications:

v Dimensions: 8.39” (W) x 5.41” (H) x 0.94” (D)

v LCD: 7” Parallax-Barrier Auto-Stereoscopic (Glasses-Free) TFT Display

v Resolution: 800×480

v Display Effects: Normal, black and white, Sepia, Lens Distortion

v Video Format & Resolution: MPEG4, AVI, 720x480p at 30fps

v Audio & Image Format: MP3; JPEG

v Control Format: Touchable Keys, Remote Control

v Audio & Video Output: AVOUT, Earphone Stereoscopic Output

v Storage: Supports SD/MMC

v Power Supply: 5V DC, 2A

v Output Interface: USB 2.0

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