Apple TV 160GB media player

Review Over the past couple of years we've tried at least four different media extenders from Buffalo, D-Link and Pinnacle in an attempt to send AVI movie files from a PC to a TV. The PC is in a home office box, and the TV is in the living room, and all we want to do is watch recorded American TV shows on the big screen.

All four devices involved stacks of software, all sorts of nonsensical procedures to synchronise media libraries, and then, inevitably, delivered stop/start streaming, frozen pictures and audio that would get out of sync.

These failures seem to have arisen because they are networking companies who put the emphasis on streaming a signal from Box A (a router) to Box B (their gizmo under the telly) instead of building a device that performs a series of tasks with the minimum of fuss.

The answer would appear to be simple: switch to an Ethernet cable to overcome the bandwidth limitations of 802.11b or g Wi-Fi and all will be well. But our experience suggests otherwise, which suggests that the problems aren't restricted to wireless technology.

We have to admit that we haven't used an Xbox 360 as a Media Extender, so it's possible that Microsoft cracked this particular problem a while back, but the Apple TV aroused our interest, despite its daft name - it's not, when all said and done, a TV: it's a set-top box. Yes, it's a networked unit, but unlike other devices stores content locally so there's no need to stream anything.

The first thing that strikes you is the tiny size of the unit. It measures 19.6 x 19.6cm and is only 2.8cm tall, which is miniscule compared to the hefty boxes supplied by the networking boys, all of which are the size of a domestic DVD player. This is especially impressive as the Apple TV contains plenty of hardware, including the power transformer.

Inside, the Apple TV uses a 1GHz Intel Pentium M processor, an Nvidia G72M graphics chip with 64MB of video memory, a 2.5in laptop hard drive, 802.11n wireless kit and the aforementioned power supply.

On the front of the unit is an activity LED and an infrared receiver for the remote control, while the row of ports lives on the back and consists of a power connector, a USB 2.0 port for service and diagnostics - why not for files on a USB Flash drive? - 10/100Mbps Ethernet, HDMI, component-video, RCA stereo outputs and an optical digital audio connector.

This is the essence of the Apple TV. The hardware requirements inlcude a TV or display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a digital input, so you can forget about an oldy worldy CRT telly with a 4:3 aspect ratio and just a couple of Scart connectors round the back - at least not without a hefty addition hardware cost for a suitable adaptor.

Apple doesn't supply any cables with the TV unit which is annoying, but a full set of HDMI, component, RCA and optical cables would add about £50 to the retail price so we picked up the phone and got TechLink to send us one of its WireCR range of HDMI cables.

There's no software in the package as you need to download the latest version of iTunes, but realistically the majority of prospective Apple TV customers already use iTunes to sync their iPod.

You control the Apple TV with a remote that looks like an original iPod Shuffle or, indeed, like the one you get with an iMac or MacBook. When you connect the Apple TV unit to your home network it pops up as a device in iTunes and you key in the five-digit code displayed on the TV screen to authorise the link.

Syncing content from iTunes generates a second five-digit code, presumably to double-check your content isn't being snaffled by another member of the family who also has an Apple TV. We were surprised to see that iTunes reported a total of 11,730 items on our hard drive and saw that it syncs in a specific sequence starting with movies, then TV, music, podcasts and photos. We saw that the 160GB drive has 144.63GB available capacity which is considerably less than we'd expect, even allowing for formatting the drive and the cut-down version of Mac OS X that the Apple TV runs.

Exploring the menus unveiled a large number of movie trailers that were presumably pre-loaded on the unit. The quality of these trailers was none too impressive so we bumped up the default 720p picture setting to the maximum quality setting of 1080i. The picture improved significantly, but even so it wasn't all that great.

Navigation of the menus is as intuitive as you'd expect from an Apple product. If you can drive an iPod then you'll find the Apple TV a doddle, and so too will your mum or - dare we say it - the wife.

The clue lies here, where Apple spells out the list of supported formats which includes H.264 at 1280 x 720 and a data rate of 5Mbps, as well as MPEG 4 at up to 3Mbps. If you want to play movies from the iTunes store the quality is limited to VGA (640 x 480).

Mac users can try Elgato's H.264 USB-connected video encoder - reviewed here - and there's a similar unit for Windows users, Instant Video To Go, from ADS. Both should be able to recode video for the Apple TV in a way that yields better looking pictures.

Then there's the extensive list of formats that aren't supported, which includes DivX, MPEG 2, WMV and Xvid. Take all those points in combination and the list of movies and TV shows that you can watch is limited and will very likely look quite poor on your enormous HDTV.

Of the various movie clips that we watched, the best was a DVD rip of an old Doctor Who from the early 1980s, possibly because it was originally recorded in an analogue format, while modern recordings of CSI which were broadcast in 720p looked less than impressive as the blocks and artefacts were clearly visible.

The other oddity is the Apple TV's YouTube feature, which allows you to watch clips quickly and easily. They're usually shown in a tiny window on your computer screen and here they are, blown up to enormous size on your TV and - guess what - they look absolutely dreadful.

Audio support is less of a shock and you can listen to the same AAC and MP3 files that you have on your iPod but - and this is the question - do you want to listen to music through your TV? I don't, and I can't think of anyone who does. Fortunately, the RCA stereo ports allow you to hook the gadget up to both your TV - for navigation and track selection - and to your hi-fi for amplification. Just remember to mute your TV first, OK?

Source: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/04/review_apple_tv/
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/04/review_apple_tv/page2.html
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/04/review_apple_tv/page3.html

Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3 vs. Nintendo Wii: A Technical Comparison

Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3 vs. Nintendo Wii

It's the battle of the ages, played out with a new generation of hardware that, for the first time, appears to leave all but the most high-end gaming PCs in the dust. Opinions about Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 vary, but it's pretty clear that both devices kick serious butt from a technical perspective. Looking over the specifications, and listening to representatives of both companies, however, I've come away with a few general thoughts.

From a pure processing standpoint, the PS3 appears to beat the Xbox 360, but the first generation PS3 games are not graphically superior to anything that's available on the Xbox 360. The PS3 has a few advantages, however. For example, it's mostly compatible with the millions of existing PlayStation (PS1) and PlayStation 2 (PS2) titles, which is a huge plus (in US and Japan only: European PS3 units lack a compatibility chip, making them far less compatible with previous generation games).

Xbox 360, however, drops the bomb on the PS3 in a few important categories as well. It's HD Media Center Extender experience blows away anything Sony offers on the PS3, and it supports live and recorded HDTV over your home network, along with TV show and movie downloads. Its device connectivity--including direct support for Apple iPod and Sony PSP devices--is top notch. And the hugely compelling Xbox Live service gets even better with Xbox 360. Sony has nothing like it: On the PS3, games are isolated islands of connectivity, allowing gamers only to communicate with others in the same games. Finally, Microsoft took away one of Sony's biggest advantages when it announced a free 1080p upgrade for all existing Xbox 360 units.

And then there's the Nintendo Wii. Nintendo's next-generation console eschews technical prowess for a truly innovative new hand controller system that includes two devices, a remote controller that can double as a classic NES-type controller for older games, and a Nunchuk, which plugs into the Remote Controller and provide additonal functionality. The Remote Controller is wireless and provides gamers with a degree of motion and freedom that is simply unavailable on either the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3: For example, to swing a golf club in Wii Sports, which is bundled with the console, you literally swing the remote controller as if it were a golf club. To hit a baseball, you swing the controller like a bat. This system is much less expensive than Microsoft's and Sony's offerings, and it is much more appealing for kids of all ages. It is also much less compelling to traditional gamers.

Looking for more information? Check out my showcase, Choosing a Video Game System, in which I describe each system in a bit more depth and provide some advice for those looking into these consoles.

No matter what your perpective, this is an interesting battle to watch. Here are the facts, and only the facts:

Pricing (US)
	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Low-end model	$279 (Xbox 360 Core System)	n/a	n/a
Mainstream model	$349 (Xbox 360)	$499 (PlayStation 3 60-GB)	$249
High-end model	$449 (Xbox 360 Elite)	$599 (PlayStation 3 80-GB)	n/a

Microprocessor
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Processor type	3.2 GHz PowerPC with 3 dual-threaded processor cores	3.2 GHz Cell processor with 7 single-threaded synergistic processing units cores (not directly comparable to Xbox 360 processor cores)	729 MHz IBM Broadway processor with 5 execution units

Graphics processor
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
GPU Type	ATI-based custom processor	NVIDIA-based RSX "Reality Synthesizer"	ATI Hollywood processor
Clock speed	500 MHz	550 MHz	243 MHz
Video RAM	Up to 512 MB GDDR3 system RAM (700 MHz) plus 10 MB embedded DRAM (eDRAM) frame buffer	256MB GDDR3 (700MHz)	24 MB of system RAM (486 MHz) plus 3 MB of embedded DRAM (eDRAM)
Video memory bandwidth	21.6 GBps to system RAM; 256 GBps to eDRAM	22.4 GBps	3.9 GBps

Video
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Native video resolutions	16:9 widescreen 720p, 1080i, 1080p (will downsample to standard definition)	480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p (will downsample to standard definition)	853 x 480 (480p) in widescreen or 4:3 aspect ratio
Component HDTV output	Yes	Yes	No (But supports 480p EDTV via optional component cables)
HDMI output	Yes (Except Xbox 360 Core)	Yes	No
Video cables included	Core model includes composite only. Mainstream model includes both composite and component. Elite model includes HDMI cables as well as composite and component.	Composite only	Composite only

Audio
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Analog sound output	Dolby Pro-Logic II	Stereo	Dolby Pro-Logic II
Digital sound output	5.1-channel Dolby Digital	5.1-channel Dolby Digital (HDMI), 7.1-channel LPCM	n/a
Number of voices	Software-based, limited only by CPU and memory	Hardware based: 320 compressed channels; software based: limited only by CPU and memory	Hardware DSP with 64+ channels

System memory
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Main System RAM	512 MB GDDR3 RAM (700 MHz), shared with GPU	256 MB XDR RAM (3.2GHz)	64 MB GDDR3 RAM
Memory bandwidth	22.4 GBps	25.6 GBps	1.9 GBps

Storage
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Optical drive	12X dual-layer DVD; HD DVD drive offered as $179 add-on (for movies only).	Blu-Ray	Proprietary optical drive
Supported optical formats	Xbox DVD, DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD, MP3 CD, and JPEG Photo CD (HD DVD supported with optional HD DVD drive).	BD, BD-ROM, Blu-ray Disc, CD, CD-DA, CD-DA (ROM), CD-R, CD-RW, DualDisc (audio side), DualDisc (DVD side), DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-ROM, DVD-RW, PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM, PlayStation 3 BD-ROM, PlayStation 3 DVD-ROM, PlayStation CD-ROM, PlayStation2 CD-ROM, SACD HD, and SACD Hybrid (CD layer).	Wii discs (both 4.7 GB single layer and 8.5 GB dual layer), Nintendo GameCube discs. Not DVD compatible.
Hard drive	Core System: No Xbox 360: 20 GB removable hard drive Elite: 120 GB removable hard drive	60 GB or 80 GB replaceable hard drive.	No. (Does include 512 MB of internal flash memory for storing saved games, downloaded games, and other data).
External hard drive support	Yes, but limited to media playback only.	Yes	No
Memory card ports	2 Xbox 360 Memory Unit ports (64 MB or 512 MB).	Flash memory card reader (supports Memory Stick, Compact Flash and SD/MMC).	1 SD card slot, 2 GameCube memory card ports.
USB 2.0 ports	3	4	2

Networking
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Ethernet	1 port (100 Mbs)	1 port (1 Gbps)	No; optional with USB-based add-on.
Wireless networking	No. 802.11g is optional ($100) on all models.	Bluetooth 2.0, Bluetooth controller interface, Wi-Fi.	Integrated Wi-Fi for networking and Internet access; Bluetooth 2.0 for controllers.
Online service	Pervasive online experience through Xbox Live Silver (free), Xbox Live Gold; includes ability to download full-length movies and TV shows, many in HD format.	Free PlayStation Network with micropayment system; includes a Web browser. Individual game makers can choose to charge for online services.	Wii Network online service includes online shopping, Web browsing, messaging, and other features.

Multimedia features
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Full Media Center Extender 2.0 experience	Yes	No	No
Live and recorded TV support (including HDTV)	Yes	No	No
Supports streaming video from PCs	Yes	Yes	No
Supports streaming audio from PCs	Yes	Yes	No
Supports streaming photo slideshows from PCs	Yes	Yes	No
Plays content from portable media players, including iPod and Sony PSP, and with digital cameras	Yes	Yes	No
Displays content from portable storage devices	Yes	Yes	Photos, MPEG and Quicktime movies, and MP3 music files from SD storage only.
Displays content from console on portable devices	No	Yes. Content from PS3 can be used on PSP using Remote Play feature.	No
Plays DVD movies	Yes	Yes	No
Upscales DVD movies to HD resolutions, including 1080p	Yes	Yes, but only on HDMI compatible TVs.	No
Supports next-generation DVD formats	No. Can play HD DVD movies with optional add-on.	Yes. Blu-Ray drive included with console.	No
Includes integrated TV show and movie download service	Yes, with both HD and standard definition content.	No	No

Controllers
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Number of supported controllers	4 wireless (plus 3 wired controllers via USB), controllers will work with Windows PCs as well. Controllers feature removable AA batteries and can be replaced with removable rechargeable battery packs.	7 wireless and/or wired controllers total. PS3 controller does not feature a removable battery.	4 wireless Remote Controllers. Also supports Nunchuk add-on controller (attaches to Remote Controller and for many Wii games) Wii Classic Controller (also attaches to remote controller; for older, downloadable games), and up to four legacy GameCube controllers.
Rumble functionality	Yes	No	Yes
Motion sensor functionality	No	Yes	Yes
USB keyboard support	Yes	Yes	Yes

Compatibility
Feature	Xbox 360	PlayStation 3	Wii
Compatible with previous generation games	Partial compatibility with original Xbox titles. (Only some original Xbox titles work, more are being added slowly over time.)	80-GB versions of the console sold worldwide and all PS3 consoles sold in Europe offer just partial compatibility with PlayStation and PS2 titles. 60-GB PS3 versions sold in US and Japan feature near-complete compatiblity with PS and PS2 games.	Plays all GameCube game titles (but doesn't include GameCube controller or memory card); Nintendo offers some downloadable versions of Nintendo NES, SNES, and N64 titles, as well as NEC TurboGrafix-16 and Sega Genseis titles, for $5 to $10 each via online service.
Improves legacy game experience	Yes. Original Xbox games are upscaled to HDTV resolutions and some games (like Halo 2) are graphically improved.	Yes. Original PlayStation and PS2 games are upscaled to full 1080p quality.	Downloadable N64 games offer enhanced graphics quality.
Integration with portable game systems	No	Yes. PS3 can integrate with PSP devices using Remote Play feature.	Yes. Wii can integrate with Nintendo DS devices.
Can play against PC-based gamers	Yes, however, only one game, Shadowrun, currently offers this functionality.	No, however, one game, Unreal Tournament 3, will add this feature in the future.	No
Integration with PC-based instant messaging systems	Yes, with Windows Live Messenger.	No	No

Source: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xbox360_ps3_wii.asp

Wii is most-wanted widget in wintertime

NINTENDO WII CONSOLE & WII POWER GLOVE

Each holiday season, a couple hard-to-find toys send parents hunting from store to store. And, each season, they’re soon forgotten: Has your Elmo gotten any tickles lately?

But this year, it looks like the gift everybody is looking for is the same as last year: the Nintendo Wii.

A year after its launch, the small video game console sells out almost immediately when it reaches stores, even after Nintendo Co. has ramped up production several times.

"Right now, if you work at it, it’s not too hard," said John Lawrence, of Fort Worth, Texas, who bought a Wii a few weeks ago for his 9-year-old grandson. It took him some online sleuthing to find one at a local GameStop.

"People have not gotten into the Christmas shopping mode. Once people get into that mindset, this is going to be an impossibility as it was last year," Lawrence said.

With the Wii, Nintendo set out make a console that would entice people who were not hardcore gamers, and it has succeeded. Janet Presti stood an hour in line at the Nintendo World Store in New York on Tuesday last week to get a Wii for her three children, but it wasn’t just for them.

"I played it at my sister’s house and I loved it," she said. Her household already has three game consoles: an Microsoft Xbox 360, a Sony PlayStation 2 and a Nintendo GameCube.

The Wii responds to the user moving the wand-like wireless controller, while other consoles are controlled by a confusing array of buttons and joysticks. It also comes with an array of casual, nonviolent games that appeal to adults.

Sony and Microsoft have cut the prices of their consoles this fall, but continuing demand for the Wii has meant Nintendo hasn’t had to.

Perrin Kaplan, vice president of marketing and corporate affairs at Nintendo of America, said the console was "priced right from the beginning." A look at eBay shows that Kaplan may be wrong: New Wii systems are selling about $100 above the $250 store price.

Some of the demand for Wiis results from trouble in the toy industry, as well as the gadget’s cross-generational appeal.

"No one is buying toys right now because of the recalls," said Gerrick Johnson, a toy industry analyst at BMO Capital Markets.

First, toys were recalled because of lead paint and dangerous magnets. Then, Aqua Dots - colored beads that were making their way to must-have status - were pulled because they were coated with a chemical that turned into the date-rape drug gamma hydroxy butyrate if swallowed.

"It’s really unfortunate for the toy industry, because the lead issue was starting to subside, was getting off the front page ... and then along comes this, which is totally outrageous," Johnson said.

"Whoever thought that there’d be a day when parents say ’Don’t play with your dangerous toys, go play with your video games’?" he asked.

The console has been a tremendous boost for Nintendo, which lost out to Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. in the last generation of game consoles. In the quarter ended Sept. 30, it more than doubled its sales to $6.1 billion from a year earlier, just before the launch of the Wii. It sold 5.5 million Wiis in the U.S. since it went on sale on last Nov. 17.

The stock market now values Nintendo at $75 billion, compared to $48 billion for Sony, which has six times the revenue.

Nintendo has increased the pace of production, but acknowledges that it won’t be able to satisfy holiday-season demand.

"It’s brand new technology, so you can’t build it on just any line," said Nintendo’s Kaplan.

In an interview last week, Sony Chief Executive Howard Stringer said the Wii shortages were "a little fortuitous," and indicated that the PlayStation 3 was poised to benefit from the situation. U.S. sales of the console doubled to 100,000 per week soon after an Oct. 18 price cut, he said.

The issue of demand outstripping supply has dogged Nintendo with the DS handheld game as well, which launched in 2004.

"We’ve been struggling since launch to keep inventory - we finally have enough of that," said Kaplan.

Source: http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=technology&sc=video_games&sc2=&sc3=&id=52753

T-Mobile to sell iPhone without contract

D Telekom to sell iPhone without contractDeutsche Telekom was on Wednesday forced to start selling the iPhone in Germany without obliging customers to sign a mobile phone contract with T-Mobile, following a court injunction brought by Vodafone of the UK.

The German operator said the iPhone would cost €999 without a contract with immediate effect, compared with €399 for a handset with a subscription from T-Mobile, its wireless division.

Customers who bought an iPhone from November 19 could also have the SIM-card on their phones, which "locked" the handset to Deutsche Telekom's network, removed, the company said in a statement.

The change in sales strategy is a blow to Deutsche Telekom which waged a fierce battle with rival operators this year to win an exclusive deal with Apple of the US, which makes the iPhone.

The device went on sale in Germany on November 9 but the companies changed sales plans on Wednesday to comply with a court ruling.

Apple has entered exclusive deals with leading mobile operators in several countries to sell the iPhone, on condition that the phones are dedicated to one network and the US company gets a share of revenues from subscriptions.

However, national laws in some countries prevent the US technology company from entering into such exclusive contracts.

Vodafone's German subsidiary won a temporary injunction on Monday night that barred Deutsche Telekom from forcing iPhone buyers to sign a contract with it.

Vodafone argues that locking the handset to a specific network could be against German law.

The German operator said it would continue to offer the handset for €399 plus a minimum two-year contract with T-Mobile, starting at €49 a month. It added that some iPhone functions would still only be available with a T-Mobile subscription.

The company also pledged to fight the court decision. A spokesman for Deutsche Telekom said it planned to appeal against the decision before a deadline on Friday, after which it normally takes up to two weeks for the court to reach a final decision.

"We are confident that courts will back us. We had this assessed by our lawyers beforehand," said a spokesman for the company, confirming comments by Philipp Humm, head of T-Mobile in Germany.

In France, where the iPhone goes on sale next Thursday, Apple chose to sell the iPhone through France Telecom's Orange mobile phone subsidiary. But national laws barring the locking of phones meant the US company had to offer devices that can work on any network.

The iPhone will cost €399 with an Orange subscription. Prices of an unlocked phone will be announced next week, but are expected to be similar to those in Germany.

A spokesman for Vodafone in Germany said the company was not pursuing similar issues in any other countries.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21915213/

PlayStation 3 Turns One Year Old

Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) on Friday celebrated the first birthday of its PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system. Launched a year ago in North America, PS3 has revolutionized the industry with enhanced computational power, Blu-ray Disc capabilities, and free access to the PlayStation Network where users can experience online gaming, connect with other PS3 users, as well as download games, movies and other content.

In its first year, more than 200 software titles have been released for PS3 and more than 60 million pieces of content have been downloaded from the PlayStation Network worldwide. Also, through the continued support of and dialogue with PS3 users, hardware advancements and features have been added to the system through firmware updates, making it the most advanced computer entertainment system on the market today.

"When we designed PS3 our goal was to introduce a system so technically advanced that it could stand the test of time and could take the industry in a whole new direction, which for PS3 was high-definition entertainment," said Jack Tretton, President and CEO of SCEA. "While we're excited by the progress we've made this first year, we know that like our other platforms, the best is yet to come, especially given our new hardware and software lineup, and that PS3 will continue to take the industry to new heights for years to come."

PS3 is the first gaming system to provide a capacity of 50GB, thanks to its Blu-ray functionality. Current PS3 first party games are in the 20GB range, well north of the threshold of HD-DVD or DVD, allowing for unmatched potential for games, movies and other media.

"The inclusion of the Blu-ray drive in PS3 reflects Sony's absolute commitment to the format," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation. "We firmly believe that Blu-ray is the best high definition format for consumers, providing superior capacity, next-generation games, more hit movie titles, and the best possible picture and sound quality. With PS3, you get an amazing game machine and a state-of-the-art high definition movie player, and it is clear from recent sales numbers that this combination is resonating with millions of PS3 customers."

SCEA recently introduced new PS3 hardware models and pricing and the company is already seeing strong sales momentum as a result -- PS3 sales have increased by 192 percent at the top 10 retailers in North America. The availability of new hardware, combined with the release of more than 160 software titles, is expected to sustain momentum through this holiday season and beyond.

SCEA also recently launched a new PS3 advertising campaign, the company's biggest marketing effort to date, designed to deliver a high-energy message with a focus on the exciting entertainment value of PS3 and exclusive content found only on PS3.

Source: http://www.tech2.com/india/news/gaming-consoles/playstation-3-turns-one-year-old/22263/0

Today's cameras bruise easily, so handle with care

Digital Camera

In the pre-digital era, consumers held onto their cameras for generations. Now they often dispose of them within months.

It's the hidden costs of miniaturization: As things get smaller, they get more complicated and prone to errors. Many new cameras fail due to the delicate nature of the components — and from consumer abuse. With repair costs being on par with the price of buying a new model, many consumers choose to buy a new camera instead.

The average life span of a digital camera is just 2.7 years, according to the Photo Marketing Association.

None of that is hurting camera manufacturers, who continue to show sales growth, year after year. "If cameras sold for $500 and constantly broke, there would be more of an outcry," says Chris Chute, an analyst at research firm IDC. "But at $200 for a good, new camera, people say, 'I might as well buy a new one,' and don't seem to mind."

A 7-megapixel camera sells for an average of $199, down from $349 a year ago, Chute says. A megapixel is a measurement of a camera's resolution.

However, there is a good bit of grumbling on the Web about how quickly these cameras die. If you type the phrase "Error E18" into search engines, you'll find hundreds of notes posted from consumers upset about getting this dreaded message on their Canon (CAJ) cameras. E18 means the camera is inoperable because the lens won't close.

Steve Bell, a Phoenix-area Realtor, bought a new Canon point-and-shoot in October. It stopped working shortly after Halloween.

"I do a lot of cycling and want something I can take around in my jersey pocket," he says. "I expect the camera to get bounced around — but work."

Chuck Westfall, director of customer relationships for Canon, says that in most cases it's poor upkeep of the camera that causes it to fail. "Anyone who takes one of these cameras around without a case is asking for trouble," he says.

Consumers want small cameras that can be toted around, with zoom lenses that don't stick out of the camera, Westfall notes. Canons, like most rivals, have zooms that expand barely on the front of the camera. Most of the movement is actually done inside the camera. Drop a camera or bump it around inside your pocket and you might damage it, he says.

Vladan Nikolic operates a website devoted to E18 errors (www.e18error.com). He says he's received over 700 posts from Canon owners who've received the same errors. He agrees with Westfall: In most cases, he says, it was poor care of the camera that caused the problems.

"You don't get an E18 for no reason," says Nikolic, who works for a shipping company in Belgrade. "I wasn't careful when I got mine. I powered up the camera while it was still in the case. People need to take better care of their cameras."

Dave Etchells, who runs the point-and-shoot review site Imaging Resource (www.imaging-resource.com) also blames consumer mishaps for most breakage. "People had their camera in their back pocket and sat on it, or went canoeing and the camera fell into the water."

He's a big believer in camera cases for point-and-shoots. "When you stick a camera into a purse without a case, it's not just that the camera will get scratched, but other things can happen in there. Keys can push into the power button, the lens will expand, and the camera will bounce around. That can screw up the gears."

Additionally, the LCD viewfinder can — and probably will — get cracked.

"These screens are made of really thin glass," he says. "Hit it with a sharp corner, and it's gone."

A final tip from Westfall: When packing a suitcase, don't put the camera at the bottom of the case. "Heavy weight can damage it," he says.

Memory Can Be Manipulated By Photos

The camera may not lie, but doctored photos do according to new research into digitally altered photos and how they influence our memories and attitudes toward public events.

When presented with digitally altered images depicting the 1989 Tiananmen Square protest in Beijing and a 2003 anti-war protest in Rome, participants in a new study by American and Italian researchers recalled the events as being bigger and more violent than they really were, suggesting that viewing doctored photographs might affect people’s memories of past public events.

The study was designed by UC Irvine psychologist Elizabeth Loftus and conducted by University of Padua researchers Franca Agnoli and Dario Sacchi.

Internet photo hoaxes are well known, but reputable media outlets such as the LA Times and USA Today recently published digitally altered photos, and subsequently issued retractions and apologies. When media use digitally doctored photographs, they may ultimately change the way we recall history, Loftus said.

“It shows the power of anyone to tamper with people’s recollection, and it gives the media another reason to regulate such doctoring, besides ethical reasons,” Loftus said.

In the study, 299 participants aged 19-84 viewed either original or digitally altered images depicting two events – the 1989 Tiananmen Square protest and a 2003 anti-war protest in Rome – and then answered questions about the events, including the number of people they thought had been involved, the response of law enforcement authorities and the level of violence.

Researchers doctored the Beijing photo to show large crowds standing in the sidelines while a lone protester stood before a row of advancing Chinese military tanks, and the Rome protest photo was altered to show riot police and a menacing, masked protester among a crowd of demonstrators.

“It’s potentially a form of human engineering that could be applied to us against our knowledge and against our wishes and we ought to be vigilant about it,” Loftus said. “With the addition of a few little upsetting and arousing elements in the Rome protest photo, people remembered this peaceful protest as being more violent than it was, and as a society we have to figure how we can regulate this.”

Viewing the digitally altered images affected the way participants remembered the events, as well as their attitudes toward protests. Those who viewed the doctored photograph of the Rome protest recalled the demonstration as violent and negative, and also recalled more physical confrontation and property damage. Participants who viewed the doctored photos said they were less inclined to participate in future protests, according to the study.

"Any media that employ digitally doctored photographs will have a stronger effect than merely influencing our opinion -- by tampering with our malleable memory, they may ultimately change the way we recall history," says lead author Dario Sacchi.

This research was published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071119213945.htm

Holiday Gift Idea: Finding the Perfect Digital Camera

Digital cameras make great gifts all year round, and that includes the upcoming holiday season. This past Mother's Day, digital cameras were at the top of mom's lists around the world, so if you didn't get her one then, why not now? It's the perfect gift for family and friends they don't yet have one, or those who are looking for an upgrade.

So how do you pick out the perfect digital camera? The choices can be overwhelming, so your best bet is to first decide what kind of budget you're working with it. Once you've got that figured out, you'll want to hunt down some product reviews and overviews.

Should you get the Canon PowerShot G9, or would you rather Canon PowerShot S5 IS? What's the difference? How many megapixels do you really need? All those questions, and more, can be found in reviews.

Another thing to keep in mind is the age of the recipient. What might be appropriate for an adult, might not work out as well for a kid. If you're buying for someone younger, check out the colorful options - those always go over well. And if you're buying for a child, you'll probably want something more rugged, and not quite as delicate or expensive. After all, kids can be rough.

After you've done your research and found the model you're interested in buying, check with several different retailers before you plunk down the cash and buy it. Often times, prices vary from retailer to retailer, and a little extra shopping around can save you a few bucks.

One last thing to consider when you're buying a camera is whether or not it comes pre-packaged with memory storage. If it doesn't, which is often the case, you'll want to pick up the appropriate type of memory for the camera, such as mini-SD, micro-SD, SD, Memory Sticks, and more.

Other cute accessories, such as cases and batteries can be added with the camera for an even better gift.

Source: http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/3741

Robots Lend a Hand in Japan

It is no wonder Japan has been called "the robot kingdom." Of the world’s at least 923,000 industrial robots, about 4 in 10 are in Japan. Now Japanese interest is turning to so-called service robots, which could play a crucial role in looking after the nation’s aging population.

Japan has a deep-seated infatuation with mechanical friends, whether it is with the heroes of manga (comic books) and anime (animation), hard-working industrial robots, or the public relations humanoids of major Japanese corporations. Currently, all eyes are on the service-robot sector. This broad category includes underwater, medical, cleaning, security, fishing, forestry, caregiving, entertainment and pet robots. At present, such robots only make up a small percent of the overall robot market, but expectations for the sector are high. An example is the 2007 International Robot Exhibition due to open this November in Tokyo. Service robots are expected to account for more than a third of exhibits. Basically, the category includes any robot for use outside the factory, but the Paris-based International Federation of Robotics identifies two main types: professional-use robots and private-use robots. Of the former, they estimate that 31,600 were in operation at the end of 2005, the most numerous being underwater robots at 18 percent, cleaning robots at 17 percent, and defense and security robots following at 16 percent.

By comparison, private-use service robots are more numerous and much cheaper. Of the 2.9 million such robots accounted for by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), more than half (1.8 million) were vacuum-cleaning robots like the popular Roomba robot made by the iRobot Corporation in the US. There were also 1 million entertainment and toy and 79,000 lawnmower robots. "Service robots are in the early stage," says Marc-Antoine Haudenschild, a Credit Suisse Global Research Equity Strategist for Japan. "It is difficult and more expensive to build sensitive, highly intelligent machines, however, the market for service robots with minimal intelligence is doing well." He notes that the IFR predicts professional service robots to more than double by 2009, and personal-use service robots to reach 5.6 million by 2008.

The most numerous, and certainly the most high-profile, service robots in Japan are for entertainment. Ever since 2000 when Honda amazed the world with its walking humanoid Asimo, other Japanese companies have been fast on their heels. Notable examples include Mitsubishi’s lemon yellow home helper Wakamaru, Toyota’s trumpet-playing humanoid, and Murata Manufacturing’s bicycle-riding robot. Although such impressive PR robots are too expensive to sell, Japan also has popular home entertainment robots. The best known to date is Sony’s robot pooch Aibo, which was produced between 1999 and 2006. Humanoids have been a hit too. Since 2004, Tokyo-based Kondo Kagaku Co., Ltd., have sold several thousand of their walking robot kits, which cost about 795 dollars. Owners build and maintain the robots themselves, often entering them in Japan’s popular "robocon" soccer and fighting competitions. This October, toymaker Takaratomy will try to draw new robot fans with the Omnibot 17µ: The i-SOBOT, at about 275 dollars, is much cheaper than previous home humanoids.

Less charismatic robots are also toiling behind the scenes. Service robot development is strong in "hard, mechanical" areas, says Shoichi Hamada, General Manager of the Technical Department at the Japan Robot Association (JRA). Japanese construction companies have been using robots since the 1980s, including construction machines adapted for unmanned use and robots to transport materials at building sites. From 1997 to 2002, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry funded a five-year project to produce a humanoid robot for industrial use. The final 154-centimeter, 58-kilogram prototype, HRP-2, had 30 joints, could walk on uneven ground and stand from a prone position.

Robots as Caregivers?
Another potential role for service robots is dealing with Japan’s imminent demographic crisis. A low birthrate and unrivalled longevity mean the number of elderly Japanese will increase dramatically over the coming decades. In the absence of mass immigration (which Japan has been keen to avoid) a severe shortage of caregivers seems inevitable. Some people believe robots are the answer. Takanori Shibata, a senior research scientist at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, says that robot caregivers can be divided into physical service and mental service robots. The former are designed to help with tasks such as washing or carrying elderly people, although given the limitations of current technology, not to mention safety concerns, they are still quite a long way from commercialization.

Mental service robots on the other hand are already here. One of the best known is Paro, an interactive robot seal designed by Shibata himself. The sophisticated robot can remember its name and change its behavior depending on how it is treated. It has been extensively tested in homes for elderly people and in hospitals. In 2002 the Guinness Book of Records named Paro as "the world’s most therapeutic robot." The robot reminds patients of the pets or children they once cared for, says Shibata. "Paro is a kind of trigger to provoke something in the mind of the owner," he suggests. About 1,000 of the robots, which cost about 3,000 dollars, have been produced since 2004. Overseas sales will begin shortly.

Aside from a few limited markets the service robot industry is still in its infancy. One problem is that service robots have considerable technological hurdles to overcome before they are put to practical use. According to the Japan Robot Association, the government is supporting fundamental service robot technology research, such as advanced vision, sound and movement systems. Robot intelligence will be crucial too. "The reason that industrial robots have been so successful is that environments have been constructed to suit them," says Hamada, "but that’s not going to work (for service robots) in ordinary environments." Scientists need to develop robots that can work anywhere, he says, even the haphazard changing layout of the average home or office.

Credit Suisse analyst Haudenschild agrees. "A main drawback of robots is their inability to convey tactile sensations and emotions when interacting with human beings," he says. "Although robots are adept at accurate repetition, they have limited powers of judgment when different movements must be performed randomly."

People Want Emotional Robots
Perhaps the answer is a highly advanced kind of robot intelligence known as "kansei," literally "emotion or feeling." Kansei functions enable robots to recognize and convey emotion - something that could be invaluable for service robots working and living alongside humans. "People don’t react logically, they react emotionally - robots need to be able to adapt to that," says Shuji Hashimoto, a researcher into kansei technologies and Director of the Humanoid Robotics Institute at Waseda University. Kansei robots could use vision systems to monitor human expressions, gestures and body language. Voice sensors could pick up on intonation as well as individual words and sentences. Robots could sense human emotion through wearable sensors that monitor pulse rate and perspiration.

Scientists at Meiji University in Tokyo have already created a robot that can respond with "feeling" to human speech. When the aptly named Kansei hears a word it searches the Internet to find common associations. The robot then matches the results to emotional categories and generates one of 36 expressions on its polyurethane face. "We believe that artificial consciousness is necessary," says Junichi Takeno, a professor at the university’s Laboratory of Robot and Science. "Robots will understand others and be self-aware." Takeno says that kansei technology may one day give care-giving robots a more friendly face.

It is still too early to say when the service robot industry will really get into its stride, or which country will be at its lead. And, of course, it may not even be Japan. Overall the industrial robot superpower is surprisingly behind in service robot research. The Japan Robot Association reported in 2000 that Japan is internationally competitive in only three service robot areas: industrial robots, construction robots and entertainment robots.

Research into medical robots has been hampered by inflexible safety regulations that prohibit robot surgeons like those already operating in the US. Nor can Japan compete with NASA on space robots. Military robotics research, which takes a huge bite of European and US robot research funds, is out of the question for pacifist Japan. Ironically, the earthquake-prone nation even lags in rescue robots.

According to Shoichi Hamada from the JRA, government and industry are reluctant to assist research for a limited and unproven market. "Japan isn’t very good at manufacturing the kind of robots that won’t make a profit," he admits. Although, he adds, that might soon change when service robots start to make a profit. "After all, service robotics is a young and heuristic field; someone could produce a great application for service robots tomorrow. It could be an entertainment robot, a companion robot, a commercial cleaning robot, a robot car, or something else entirely."

While we wait to find out, one thing is certain: Japan is looking forward to the robot boom. With its leading industrial robot sector, unrivalled electronics expertise and robot-loving population, the nation will be well placed to catch up quick. A 2004 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) white paper on the future of the Japanese economy predicts that the Japanese robot market will grow to 15.8 billion dollars in 2010 and to 54.5 billion dollars in 2025. By then, it is predicted that three quarters of the market will be for service robots.

Source: http://emagazine.credit-suisse.com/app/article/index.cfm?fuseaction=OpenArticle&aoid=204984&coid=263&lang=EN

Vastly improved new Zunes compare well with iPods

Apple Ipod vs Microsoft Zune

Apple's iPods have been can't-miss holiday gifts for years. But this year, shoppers have an intriguing alternative: Microsoft's latest Zune players.

Last year's sole Zune model was lame. It was bulky, came in a ghastly brown, had clunky controls and didn't make good use of its wireless-networking capabilities. So, opting for an iPod was a no-brainer.

This year's decision is a bit more difficult because just-released Zune 2.0 players are vastly improved. The old Zune is a contender, too, since it can be upgraded with the software found in the new models.

So, exactly how do Zunes and iPods compare? And, ultimately, what should you get?

Different models. The Zune line consists of a boxy Zune 80 with 80 gigabytes of hard-drive storage in a thinner package, plus teeny flash Zunes with 4 and 8 gigs, and the original Zune at 30 gigs. All have elongated screens (made of chic glass on the new ones, not plastic) with a control "squircle" - a square with rounded corners - just beneath.

The iPod line is more varied. Models include the iPod nano and iPod classic, similar to Zunes with screens above controllers. There's also a cheapo, screen-less iPod shuffle. But the hot iPod is the "touch," a widescreen player that is, essentially, an Apple iPhone minus the phone.

Touch capabilities are all the rage. The new Zunes, for instance, include that touch-sensitive squircle, officially dubbed the Zune Pad, which works with finger flicks: up or down to adjust volume; left or right to move forward or backward in a song. The first Zune had only a clickable controller - and the new Zunes also can be used click-style.

The circular controller found on traditional iPods also is touch-sensitive and works in a wheel-like fashion Zunes can't emulate. The iPod touch is basically one big touch screen that shows off photos and videos better than a Zune.

The wireless way. The new Zunes are more Wi-Fi-versatile than the first, which shared songs only in a crippled fashion (there were three-day and one-Zune limits). Now, songs can be passed from Zune to Zune to Zune endlessly (but can still be played only three times by any recipient before having to be purchased).

The Zunes have wireless syncing, too. This means connecting to a PC no longer is a requirement, since a Zune will sync with the computer over a Wi-Fi network (automatically, if the player is plugged into an outlet or powered dock, or manually at any time). This worked flawlessly in my tests. I wish iPods did this.

Apple's traditional players lack Wi-Fi, but this is built into the iPod touch for Web browsing, YouTube watching and direct-to-player music purchases via a mobile version of the iTunes Store. Zunes provide none of these features.

Software. Microsoft and Apple players interact with computers via software on the machines (Windows-only for Zunes, Windows or Macintosh with iPods). The iTunes software has been widely copied, but Microsoft went in a fresh direction with its Zune software (a step up from the abysmal original). I like it. It's clean, with simple menus, striking "skins," huge singer photos, superb album-cover views, a way to Web-publish music preferences and other pleasing design touches. But the iTunes software rules with Cover Flow, a way to flip through virtual album covers and much more.

Music purchases. Selection is better on the iTunes Store with about 6 million songs; the Zune Marketplace has half that. About a third of Microsoft's catalog is free of copy protection, meaning songs are playable on any device. Apple also has unprotected tunes, but it doesn't offer Zune-style subscription music with unlimited downloads for a monthly fee; this is a great way to sample new music before buying.

The Zune store lacks movies, TV programs and audiobooks but does have music videos. Zunes still cannot play Windows-friendly tunes and video from stores like Napster and Amazon Unbox using Microsoft's own PlaysForSure.

Podcasts. Thousands of radio- and TV-like podcasts have long been available at no cost via the iTunes Store, but the Microsoft store lacked this crucial amenity. That's been fixed, praise be. But Microsoft's online library is far from complete. You can manually subscribe to podcasts, but managing them with the Zune software is awkward. For instance, there's no way to display a master list of downloaded podcasts, as you can with your music.

TV recordings from Media Center PCs couldn't be played on the initial Zune. Now, all Zunes incorporate this vital feature (but forget about syncing any TV shows that are copy-protected or Dolby-enhanced). Mac-based iPod owners get similar features via Elgato recording devices and software for syncing to players. PC-based iPod owners can get Corel's new DVD Copy 6 Plus to convert Media Center recordings for mobile consumption.

Upgrade potential with iPods is limited, but that's about to change with the iPod touch (which, like the iPhone, uses a version of the OS X operating system found on Macintosh machines). Starting next year, third parties will get to write software for the devices. The implications are huge: The gadgets will evolve into feature-rich minicomputers.

It's unclear how the Zune will stack up. Though its software can be upgraded, Microsoft offered no major updates to its first Zune for a year (finally bringing it in line with the new Zunes last week). So, another update might not arrive for a while. Even then, a lack of hardware features such as a touch screen will make it an also-ran to the iPod touch.

Baffling omissions. Zunes can't be used as portable file-storage drives; neither can the iPod touch. Other iPods have always had this feature. No iPod has FM tuning, a feature implemented elegantly in the Zunes. But Zunes lack an audio equalizer, which is found on iPods, as well as the original Zune (the EQ stays on that player after it's upgraded).

Durability. If you don't want your player to get scratched, a Zune is a good choice courtesy of its scuff-resistant metal back. The metal backs on the iPods have a mirror-like finish that scratches far more readily (a cover is a must).

Customization. Apple buyers can get text engraved on the backs of their new iPods. Microsoft has one-upped its rival with more than two dozen elaborate designs by top artists, plus separate "tattoo" options with images and text.

Odd malfunctions. My loaner flash Zune kept restarting itself in mid-podcast (this got so bad I wanted to throw it in a lake). But my iPod use hasn't been glitch-free, either; software on the touch can crash, just like on a Macintosh.

On the big screen. A Zune can be jacked into an Xbox 360 game console to run the player's tunes, photos and videos on a TV. That same content within the Zune software can be streamed to an Xbox over a home network, too. Similarly, iTunes material stored on a PC or a Mac can be copied or streamed over a network to the Apple TV device.

Colors. The flash-based Zune, iPod nano and iPod shuffle come in a variety of lively colors, while the larger hard-drive players are subdued (the Zune 80 sells only in black; the iPod classic models come in either black or light gray).

Prices. Zunes range from $130 (for the original on sale) to $250; iPods run from $80 for the entry-level shuffle to $350 for the top-of-the-line iPod classic with 160 gigs. Comparable models are similarly priced: The 80-gig iPod classic and Zune 80 both cost $250, while the 8-gig Zune and iPod nano are both $200.

The bottom line: Buying a Zune is no longer a mistake, now that Microsoft has fixed major oversights (podcasts, Media Center) and dramatically improved its players and software. But Apple provides the most advanced features - especially in its iPod touch - and its iPods work with Macs as well as PCs. So, they still make the best gifts.

Best Tech Gadgets And Games For Christmas & Holiday Gift-Giving

Thinking tech for the christmas & holidays? We spent the past months scoping out all sorts of gadgets, games and other geeky stuff. Here is what we like (with occasional caveats) for this season's gift-giving. There's something for every budget.

Cameras and camcorders. Our favorite do-it-all pocket cam is Kodak's $240 EasyShare V1253 (kodak.com), which shoots 12-megapixel still pictures as well as high-definition video in a widescreen format. What more could you possibly want? Oh, add Kodak's $100 HDTV dock for viewing pics and videos on your HDTV. They will look sensational.

Terrific video camcorders include Panasonic's HDC-series models ($900 to $1,000; xrl.us/hdccam), which harness newfangled AVCHD technology to cram high-def footage onto DVDs or SD flash-storage cards. (We tested the HDC-SD1.) The cams play well with the latest video-editing software for Mac (apple.com/imovie) or PC (xrl.us/videostudio).

If AVCHD is too bleeding-edge for you, go for Canon's HV20 ($800; canondv.com), which records high-def footage onto trusty, cheap MiniDV cassettes. We love this camcorder.

Computers. It's hard to top Macintosh models for mainstream computing. The Mac OS X operating system runs circles around Windows Vista, and you can do both OS X and Windows on a Mac, if you must (don't try running OS X on a Dell, dude). Affordable options include recently updated MacBooks (apple.com, $1,100 and up) and iMacs (but wait a bit on an iMac, if you're the cautious type, because Apple is looking into a freezing issue.)

For specialty computers, it's back to the Windows world. Our favorites include Alienware's Hangar18, a sleek piece of living-room audiovisual equipment that's also a high-end PC ($2,000 and up, alienware.com). It records regular and high-def TV via Microsoft's Media Center (but, unlike a TiVo, it can catch a virus, so install security software).

We also adore Toshiba's mammoth G45-series Qosmio laptop, which is a semiportable multimedia powerhouse for the home. It will also do Media Center recordings, and it has a display to die for ($3,000 and up; toshibadirect.com).

The Hangar18 and Qosmio both will play and record onto high-def movie discs. Too bad the Alienware does only Blu-ray discs while the Toshiba is HD DVD-only. This is a reason to skip both until that silly format war is resolved.

Computer gear. Our favorite input devices include Logitech's slim diNovo Edge ($200; logitech.com) Mac and PC keyboard, which charges vertically in a stylish stand; and Microsoft's Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 ($300; microsoft.com/hardware), combining a PC keyboard and mouse with a recharging station that has USB ports.

For extra flair, try Logitech's $150 MX Air, a cordless Windows mouse that can be waved in the air (it works on a desktop, too). The feature-laden MX Revolution ($100) works on Macs and PCs and has earned a devoted following.

A nice display is another perquisite for pleasurable computing, and Gateway's $550 FHD2400 24-inch wide-format LCD (gateway.com) is a beauty. It has a high-def 1080p resolution and bristles with ports, such as HDMI for plugging in a game console or a high-end movie-disc player. (We also love the 1600p-resolution XHD3000, but it's $1,700. Ouch.)

For cooperative online gaming and Internet telephony, Logitech's $50 ClearChat Pro USB headphones are swell.

Kodak's line of EasyShare all-in-one printers, scanners and copiers are the best we've found for consumer use.

Maxtor OneTouch 4 external hard drives ($100 and up; maxtorsolutions.com) will keep PC or Mac data secure. WaterField has a stylish, nicely padded case or sleeve for just about any portable computer or gadget (sfbags.com).

IPhone and iPod accessories. We've used Apple's iPhone a lot this year, and found the following add-ons to be worthwhile: Griffin Technology's $30 Elan Holster and its $20 PowerJolt auto charger (griffintechnology.com); NLU Products' BodyGuardz transparent-film electronics protector (nluproducts.com); and V-Moda's $100 Vibe Duo earbuds (xrl.us/vmodavibe) to replace basic buds for music and chatting. (A mic-less Vibe for iPod also is available.)

Is the teeny iPod shuffle more your speed? Mophie's Bevy is a combo bottle opener and a keychain holder for the miniplayer. Heck, at only $15 via mophie.com or amazon.com, you can afford to toss a $79 Shuffle into that stocking.

Other iPod and iPhone choices are too varied to list, so see the sites of top accessory makers. Along with Griffin Technology, check out Digital LifeStyle Outfitters (dlo.com) and XtremeMac (xtrememac.com). There are a lot of others, so spend time at the indispensible iLounge (ilounge.com) or a local Apple retail store (apple.com/retail).

Video gaming. Nintendo's Wii and portable DS (nintendo.com) are still the can't-miss gaming consoles because they're affordable, with gobs of games for all ages. Shop for a Wii early since it may be in short supply this Christmas.

Eidos' "Lara Croft: Anniversary" (eidos.com) is coming for Wii after its initial release earlier this year for other consoles. Bethesda SoftWorks' "Star Trek: Conquest" (startrek.bethsoft.com), a strategy and action title, is on the way for the Wii and PlayStation 2. Ignition Entertainment (ignitionusa.com) has moved its "Mercury Meltdown" from PlayStation Portable to Wii - good move, since maneuvering that mercury blob is more fun with the Wiimote.

Two of the year's major games, "Halo 3" and "BioShock," are only on the Xbox 360 (xbox.com), but another of the season's hits, "Guitar Hero III" (xrl.us/ghIII), is on all major consoles, including PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3.

Kids will enjoy Nintendo's Super Mario Galaxy for Wii, and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction on PS3. Sony's MotorStorm racing game is our fave PS3 title. It's fine for all ages and shows off the gear's graphics.

Microsoft has new add-on packs for its "Age of Empires," "Zoo Tycoon" and "Flight Simulator" PC games (microsoft.com/games). The Xbox's "Gears of War" (for adults) and "Viva Pinata"(for kids) are out for PCs, too.

For Intel Macs, Electronic Arts has "Madden" and "Tiger Woods" sports titles, plus a "Harry Potter" game, a "Need for Speed" car-racing title, and "Battlefield 2142" and Command & Conquer 3" for combat junkies. Also check out the full line of Mac games (including "Age of Empires" titles) from Minnesota-based MacSoft.

"Star Wars"! While you're waiting for next year's Science Museum of Minnesota mega-exhibit, entertain yourself with the latest "Star Wars"-themed games and toys.

This year's crop includes "LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga" for late-model consoles, plus Nintendo DS (lucasarts.com). It's a hoot! We've also enjoyed "Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron" for PlayStation Portable (get a just-revamped version of Sony's PSP with "Renegade Squadron" in a $200 bundle; xrl.us/starwarspsp).

For computers users, you can't miss with "Star Wars: Empire at War" (PC and Intel Macs; xrl.us/empireatwar).

But the much-hyped "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" (PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS, Xbox 360) is delayed until spring.

Kids will love WizKids' easy-to-build "Star Wars" PocketModels (xrl.us/pocketmodels), which come with playing cards. If you've been really good this year, Santa might bring the LEGO Ultimate Collectors' Millennium Falcon ($500; xrl.us/ultimatefalcon).

Geeky stuff. The ThinkGeek site (thinkgeek.com) is worth a look for really nerdy stuff (if there's a Doctor Who fan on your gift list, get the Sonic Screwdriver; we told you this was geeky). Or shop for computer books. Anything in David Pogue's Missing Manual (missingmanual.com) series will do nicely; the iPod and iPhone volumes are terrific.

Source: http://www.twincities.com/life/ci_7484149?nclick_check=1

It's What Cameras Have Become - the New Nokia N82

Nokia N82 - The Latest Multimedia Computer

Nokia Introduces a Leading Edge Connected Camera, Navigation Device and Multimedia Computer in One

Nokia unveils the Nokia N82, the latest multimedia computer optimized for photography, navigation and internet connectivity. With the tools to discover the places and moments worth capturing, and the capabilities to capture and share them instantaneously, the Nokia N82 offers photography enthusiasts an enhanced camera experience.

Discover, capture and share

The Nokia N82 enables you to explore your surroundings and find your way with navigation and routing; document your adventures with the high quality imaging capabilities; and instantly share your experiences with one click upload to the web.

Featuring A-GPS, 5 megapixel camera, Xenon flash, Carl Zeiss optics and internet connectivity, the Nokia N82 also incorporates all the multimedia computer features common to Nokia Nseries. Like its predecessor the Nokia N95, the Nokia N82 is the latest epitome of a truly converged device that is not one thing but is many.

"The evolution of camera capabilities in mobile devices has been extremely fast over the past years. With the Nokia N82 we have reached such a superior level in image quality, speed and ease of use that not only does it outperform any other cameraphone on the market, but it's also a very credible alternative for single purpose digital still cameras," says Satu Ehrnrooth, head of Nokia Nseries Cameras Category, Multimedia, Nokia. "In addition to the high-end camera, the Nokia N82 also enables you to navigate and discover new places, enjoy your music, browse the web, play games, chat online and be part of the global web 2.0 community wherever you go. Thanks to the wireless broadband connectivity, convergence and yet again increased performance, the Nokia N82 is all you need in your pocket!"

Discover the world

The powerful A-GPS and preinstalled* Nokia Maps help you explore and locate new places, whether in another country or just around the corner. All Nokia N82 standard sales packages come with a free voice guided navigation trial*, and you can purchase additional features, such as city guides and longer subscription to the navigation.

With access to more than 15 million points of interest, you can locate and navigate to the most interesting sights, bars or restaurants wherever you are. You can also send map excerpts and routes to friends by MMS or save map screen shots to the gallery.

Capture your experiences

With a 5 megapixel camera, powerful Xenon flash and Carl Zeiss optics, the Nokia N82 delivers remarkably vivid photographs, even in low-light conditions. Fast camera activation, autofocus with a dedicated autofocus assist lamp, fast reloading between shots and DVD-like quality video capture make it a truly convenient and credible tool for capturing and telling your life stories.

Thanks to the 2GB microSD card in the standard Nokia N82 sales package*, you can store up to 900 high-resolution photos or up to 84 minutes of high quality video on the device.

"The Nokia N82 gives the best ever camera and navigation experience in one stylish premium device. Just imagine what kind of possibilities this will open up and how much richer your every day life experiences can be! The sophisticated design and glossy looks appeal to men and women who are conscious of their style and want to impress with the latest in technology," Satu Ehrnrooth continues.

Share your stories

With high speed Wi-Fi connectivity and one-click upload to online communities, the Nokia N82 makes sharing your experiences and discoveries easy. When viewing a picture or video, simply one press of a button starts uploading it while you carry on using the device for other purposes.

Or you can impress your friends with multimedia slideshows - complete with music and effects - on the high resolution display or on a compatible TV.

The Nokia N82 comes with the new content driven 3D multimedia menu and includes a convenient orientation sensor that rotates the user interface automatically between horizontal and portrait mode. For quick and easy access to entertainment content, the Nokia N82 also supports the Ovi family of Nokia internet services, including Nokia Music Store, N-Gage games** and Nokia Maps.

The Nokia N82 is available now in key markets with an estimated, pre-tax, unsubsidized sales price of approximately 450 euros.

Nokia will host a virtual launch event today, Wednesday, November 14, 2007 beginning at 2pm Finnish time/1pm CET. You can access the virtual launch event at: http://www.nseries.com/truestories. The webcast will also be available for view on demand afterwards.

*Sales package contents may vary by market and/or network operator/service provider.

**The N-Gage service is expected to go live later this year.

Notes to editors:

A full list of Nokia N82 features is available at http://www.nseries.com/n82

Related photos in print quality can be found at http://www.nokia.com/press/photos

About Nokia Nseries

Nokia Nseries is a range of high performance multimedia computers that delivers unparalleled mobile multimedia experiences by combining the latest technologies with stylish design and ease of use. With Nokia Nseries products, consumers can use a single device to enjoy entertainment, access information and to capture and share pictures and videos, on the go at any time. http://www.nseries.com

About Nokia

Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks. http://www.nokia.com

Source: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/UKW00814112007-1.htm