This morning, Apple announced the release of an update to its web browser, Safari.  In it’s latest minor revision, Apple joins the ranks of Microsoft, Google, and Mozilla by recruiting normal every day developers to the expedition.  Extensions, already enjoyed by FireFox, IE, and Chrome users allow a browser to be come extensible adding new horizons in use and purpose.  With the opening lineup of the extension portal, Apple brings you Twittering in Safari to Amazon Wish Lists.  Can’t find the extension you want?  The sky is the limit to adventure seekers through the Safari Developer Program.  Apple’s new extension gallery can be found at http://extensions.apple.com.  Competition between the browsers are heating up!  Which browser do you like best and why?

I have no idea how to pronounce its name properly, but the $80 AViiQ laptop stand is hands-down one of the best stands I’ve ever seen. It’s durable, incredibly light and compact, and holds my MacBook Pro at a very comfortable 12-degree angle above the desk.

I’d marry it if men were allowed to marry metal.

The AViiQ is a premium product, and it’s priced and packaged as such. Inside the gorgeous container you’ll find the actual AViiQ, a micro-fiber bag for transportation, and two extra rubber feet for the stand. I thought the bag would be an interesting little extra, but I’ve learned over the past few weeks that you’re almost required to use it.

This is because the accordion-like design of the AViiQ causes it to spring open whenever you fold it up. Don’t get me wrong: it does fold up into a *very* compact  metal sliver, but without the micro-fiber case (or a rubber band, if you want to MacGuyver it), the whole stand will open up right after you fold it shut, like a Jack that doesn’t want to stay in The Box.

Setting the stand up for use is simple five-second affair. Once the AViiQ is out of its case, simply unfold it and then fold the top portion in on itself until it creates a triangle (there are slots cut into the whole stand so that the rubber feet lock nicely into place). After you’ve locked the stand in place, you can put your computer — any laptop up to 17” in screen size — on top.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit that my first impressions of the AViiQ in action made me quite the skeptic. I’d place my 13″ MacBook Pro on it  and then watch the computer slowly, but surely, slide right off. As it turns out, there’s a bit of a sweet spot you have to find on the AViiQ, where the bottom of your laptop rests on the gray rubber feet at the front of the stand, and the back of the laptop rests on the black rubber feet at the rear. It sounds a little complicated when I spell it out, but it isn’t, and once your laptop is in the right spot, it won’t budge.

I’ve had the AViiQ for nearly three weeks now and have used it every single day. It certainly isn’t the tallest laptop stand (you’ll still want an Xtand if you want to use your laptop like a monitor), but the AViiQ keeps the screen at a much more comfortable viewing angle. I can’t say that the stiffness in my neck after several hours at the computer is gone, but it’s significantly less now that I use this laptop stand. It’s also very handy on the couch or if I use my MacBook for some surfing before I sleep, because of the keyboard’s slight elevation makes it much easier to type on.

So would I pick up an AViiQ stand again? Absolutely. I realize the price level isn’t for everyone, but I put a lot of thought into what I carry around, and the look and feel of the AViiQ fit in perfectly with my MacBook Pro. It’s also a “future-proof” laptop stand, since it can accommodate most any sized laptop (up to 17″), so I’ll still be able to use it if I decide to upgrade to a larger laptop a few years down the line. In fact, I highly doubt I’ll stop using this accessory until I get tired of laptops altogether and decide to hook right into the Internet through an Ethernet socket in my face.

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The AViiQ is available from AViiQ.com for about $80. The unit I used in this review was sent to me by the Max Borges Agency.

As you head out the door in the morning, what accompanies you in your gadget bag?  For me, my iPod Shuffle, iPod Touch, Acer Aspire One Netbook, and an assortment of cables, memory cards, USB drives and other assorted goodies.   My HTC Touch Pro comfortably rides on my hip, as well.

What resides or hides in your gadget bag?  Hit the comments below and share your items with us.

Today’s JAMM Store Deal of the Day is Note2Self for Windows Mobile.  You can register today’s title for $2.47

You can download a free trial or register the full version here.

Check out the full specs below:

What is Note2Self? (previously named VoiceMinder)

Note2Self is a simple solution for those of us who keep track of their task items via email. Note2Self allows you to quickly record a voice note and have it sent as an email to your email address of choice with just two button presses: start/stop! No user interface to mess with. No complexities. Just drive/walk/whatever and press the user-configured hotkey to start recording and the hotkey again to stop – instant voice mail!

How easy is it to setup

Note2Self offers three ways to send your voice notes:

Using your existing ActiveSync connection
Using your own SMTP Server which you can import from FlexMail or enter manually
Using the WebIS Note2Self Sending Service – just type in your subscription code and you’re done!
Why do I need it?

As wonderful as our Windows Mobile devices are, they still lack an easy way to create actionable items with the most natural method of output we have: our voice. Sure, you can record a voice memo, but what then? You have to remember to listen to it later – it requires an additional action from you, and like a lot of us, you just forget you made the recording and find it weeks later. You could open up Inbox Mobile, create an email to yourself, start the voice recorder, make your recording, then send the email…but try that while driving (actually, don’t). You could create a calendar appointment, but what if you aren’t able to view the screen on your device?

The execution is simple: Note2Self is a single-button push to start, single-button push to finish, fully automated solution that allows you to record a voice memo and email it to a specific email address. Why email? For many of us, it is our to-do list. If I have an email sitting in my Inbox, I can take action on it. The key to having Note2Self unlock your productivity is to have it be incredibly streamlined and focused. It’s a one-trick pony, yes, but it’s a really useful trick.

What about disconnected PDAs?

Note2Self lets you save your voice notes to a local database for sending later on when you are connected via ActiveSync or Wifi. The scenario there is that when you sync with your desktop PC, Note2Self will use the ActiveSync pass-through connection to deliver the voice memos to your Inbox. The default voice memo recording level is quite space-efficient: a 23 second recording is only 183 KB and with Not2Self you can now record messages with the really tiny Ogg Vorbis encoder.

What about file sizes?

Note2Self gives you several encoding options to help you decide the quality of the voice message.

Who won the VoiceMinder naming contest?

We got over 500 submissions with about 1200 actual names submitted. About 300 of those were some variation of Note2Self but we had to pick the first submitter who is Andy Mason. Congrats!

Features:

• SSL SMTP support
• SMTP Authentication
• SOCKS proxy support
• Custom Subject with timestamp
• Custom To/From Options
• ActiveSync support
• Import Account data from FlexMail 2007
• Test your account simply
• WAV files recorded efficiently
• Ogg Vorbis support
• Disconnected mode saves recordings until later
• Smartphone and Pocket PC support
• Windows Mobile 5 and 2003/SE support

Minimum Requirements:

• Pocket PC 2003 and up

Display Dimensions
240×240, 240×320, 320×240, 320×320, 480×480, 480×640, 480×800, 640×480, 800×480
Operating System
Pocket PC 2003, Pocket PC 2003 SE, WM5, WM6, WM6.1, WM6.5

Thomas and our friends over at USB Fever are at it again with some really GREAT deals on cases and USB powered devices. Their weekly specials are below for your perusal and consideration.

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Mini USB Wireless Keyboard with touchpad
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1932
Universal In-Car Headrest Y-Shaped Holder for eeePC / UMPC / iPad
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1933
Flexible Gooseneck Bike Mount for Cellphone / PDA / iPhone / iPod
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1934
Universal In-Car Headrest Y-Shaped Holder with Robust Bracket
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1935
Hard Silicone case for iPhone 4 (Solid White)
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1936
Universal Car Windshield holder for Cellphone
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1937
Leather Case with Belt Clip for iPhone 4 / 4G (Flip Top)
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1938
Desktop 3.5mm Microphone
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1939
Mouse with Cooling fan and LED Message Scroller
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1940
High Capacity External Portable Battery for iPhone / iPod
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1941
Eggshell case for iPod Touch 2G / 3G
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=1942
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