Best Digital Cameras (Ultra-Compact)

Canon PowerShot SD870 IS (Around $325)

Best ultra-compact digital camera. Critics identify the Canon PowerShot SD870 IS as the best ultra-compact digital camera. In addition to great image quality and ease of use, the 8.3-megapixel Canon SD870 IS has optical image stabilization. This feature helps counteract natural hand tremors and makes capturing sharp photos much easier, especially in low light. Its face-detection feature helps lock the autofocus on your subject, and its zoom lens begins at 28mm, giving this camera wide-angle capability and an advantage when shooting in close quarters. Its small size and classy case are further highlights.


Canon PowerShot SD1000 (Around $170)

Best value in a tiny camera. While it lacks image stabilization (to help counteract camera shake), reviews say the 7.1-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD1000 is a great value and an excellent performer, producing first-rate images with great colors and sharpness. This slim model is only 3/4-inch thick, with a 2.5-inch LCD display. It is a point-and-shoot camera, so manual controls are limited, but there are lots of scene modes to help photographers tackle common shooting situations.


Fujifilm Z10fd (Around $170)

Most stylish ultra-compact camera. Other ultra-compact digital cameras might take nicer photos, but the Fujifilm Z10fd is aiming for style and youth appeal. Reviews say it succeeds. It's available in five metallic colors, with sleek lines and a sliding metal cover.. The feature lineup includes face detection and a Blog mode that resizes images in camera for web posting and e-mailing. There are better cameras overall, but reviewers say the Fujifilm Z10fd is a good blend of low price, style and functionality.


Fujifilm F40fd (Around $190)

Best in low light. Many ultra-compact digital cameras struggle in low-light situations, but the Fujifilm F40fd has a unique sensor design that gives this camera an edge for indoor and nighttime shots. In addition, image quality under better lighting is excellent. There aren't many manual controls, and the F40fd isn't very stylish. It's essentially a simple point-and-shoot camera that does really well in dim lighting -- handy if you take lots of indoor shots.


Olympus Stylus 790 SW (Around $260)

Underwater digital camera. Although the Olympus Stylus 790 SW gets merely average scores for image quality, it is one of the few truly waterproof (down to 10 feet) digital cameras on the market. The Olympus is also shockproof (it can withstand drops of up to five feet) and freeze-proof (to 14º F) -- which means it can survive a jump in the lake or a trip down the ski slopes better than most other cameras. Still, if you are not looking for a camera to take on your outdoor adventures, other cameras in the same price range take better photos overall.

Best MP3 Players

Apple iPod nano (8 GB, Around $200)

Best MP3 player overall. Although not everyone is a fan of the shorter and wider shape, the newest Apple iPod nano is the runaway choice among critics as the best MP3 player. Most say that the player is extremely easy to use (though it requires the latest version of iTunes, which might not be compatible with some older computers). Audio quality is first rate, and video playback looks great despite the small 2-inch screen size. The 8 GB nano (which can store about 2,000 songs or equivalent video) comes in a rainbow of colors. One complaint is that the nano -- and all new iPod MP3 players -- have been made incompatible with some third party video accessories that worked with earlier-generation players.

Creative Zen V Plus (4 GB, Around $100)

Best value. While critics say the iPod nano is the best MP3 player overall, reviewers say that the Creative Zen V Plus is a great budget alternative -- or a good pick for those who don't want to be tied to the iTunes music store. Sound quality and battery life are great, according to reports. The 1.5-inch OLED screen falls short compared to the display on the nano, but it's sufficient for viewing short video clips and photos. Unlike the nano, the Zen V Plus offers an FM radio. It uses a small navigation wheel for zipping through tracks, which a few reviews indicate may be too small for some users. All of Creative's current MP3 players are compatible with Windows Media Player 11, so they should have no trouble running on Vista.

iRiver Clix (8 GB, Around $240)

Most features. Like the Creative Zen V Plus, the iRiver Clix comes very close to the iPod nano in reviews, plus it has more features. The 2.5-ounce iRiver Clix is heavier than the 1.74-ounce nano, but it has a slightly larger, video-capable 2.2-inch color LCD touchscreen that doubles for navigation. Sound and video are given uniformly high marks, and there's a long list of extras: FM tuner, voice recorder, equalizer, Macromedia Flash Player, Flash games and an alarm clock. Reviews say the Windows-only Clix has a slick user interface and long battery life (20 hours).


Apple iPod Classic (80 GB, Around $245)

Best large-capacity MP3 player. The iPod dominates the market among hard-drive players. Experts agree that the iPod system by far offers the most fully integrated music experience, a seamless marriage between the iPod hardware and the iTunes software and song library. The latest iPod Classic MP3 players feature much larger hard drives, rivaling those on some laptop computers, and can hold up to 20,000 songs or equivalent video. Since Apple MP3 players use a proprietary music format called AAC, you are limited mainly to the iTunes music store for music downloads. A 160 GB version (*est. $345), which can hold 40,000 songs, is also available.


Microsoft Zune (80 GB, Around $250)

Alternative to iPod Classic. If you want a high-capacity MP3 player, the iPod Classic holds a small edge in reviews, but experts say the much improved second-generation Microsoft Zune is an excellent alternative for those who don't want to be married to Apple's AAC music format. The Zune's key unique feature is Wi-Fi -- it can sync wirelessly with your PC's music collection. The 3.2-inch video-capable display is much larger than the screen on the iPod Classic, yet overall, the Zune is about the same size. You also get an FM tuner (missing on the iPod). The Zune also comes with high-quality earphones that blow away the earbuds that come with the iPod.


Samsung YP-U3 (2 GB, Around $75)

Budget MP3 player. Reviews say there are a number of good sub-$100 MP3 players available, but this Samsung model gets a very slight edge because of its easy-to-use interface and better overall physical design. Sound quality is excellent, as is the built-in FM radio, though the lack of FM recording capabilities is a disappointment. A unique pop-out design protects the built-in USB connector and eliminates both the need for a cable and an easy-to-lose cap.

Best Digital Cameras

Canon PowerShot A570 IS (Around $175)

Best digital camera overall, best features. According to reviewers, the Canon A570 IS has the best blend of image quality, features and price, with lots of manual controls to give you room to grow. The 7.1-megapixel Canon digital camera takes excellent shots and includes optical image stabilization, which works to reduce blurry images caused by the natural movements of your hands. The Digic III image processor includes face-detection technology, which uses faces in a scene to set focus and exposure for the most natural color. This camera works well in automatic mode, but users can also play with manual exposure controls, as well as both an aperture and a shutter priority mode. One quibble is that the menu system can be a little dense for using these advanced settings. The Canon's movie mode is noted as excellent.


Canon PowerShot A560 (Around $135)

Best basic digital camera. If you just want a good basic camera, reviews point to the 7.1-megapixel, 4X-zoom Canon PowerShot A560. Images are good all around, and the camera has a nice movie mode and fun collection of automatic settings. Nice features for this price range include a 2.5-inch LCD display, a top ISO setting of 1600 and face-recognition technology. Although testers say the Canon A560 is generally fast, using the flash slows down shot-to-shot speeds considerably -- so it's better for outdoor shots than indoor shooting.

Nikon Coolpix L10 (Around $100)

Best $100 digital camera. If all you want is a camera for casual snapshots, reviews say the 5-megapixel Nikon Coolpix L10 is a great choice in its price range. Despite its very low price, this camera offers solid build quality, high-grade optics and technology to help take impressive photos without much fuss. There are no manual controls at all -- this camera works on no-brainer automatic -- but reports say that that the L10 does pretty well on its own, thanks to features like face-priority autofocus and best-shot selection. An excellent macro mode is perfect for taking photos for auction websites.


Fujifilm FinePix F40fd (Around $195)

Best for indoor shots and low light. The Fujifilm FinePix F40fd lacks a lot of bells or whistles and is mainly an automatic point-and-shoot camera. However, reviews say the Fujifilm digital camera occupies a neat niche. According to critics, the Fujifilm F40fd offers better low-light performance than most other digital cameras (including those in the Canon A-series), which means your indoor shots will turn out better, and you'll be able to use natural lighting more often. Image quality is on the high side of very good, according to reviews, and superior for low-light photography. However, shot-to-shot speed is slow. If indoor shots are a priority, experts say the FinePix F40fd is the best in its price range.


Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 (Around $365)

Advanced 10-megapixel digital camera. If you want the most flexibility aside from a digital SLR, reviews say the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 has a huge range of manual controls, image stabilization, a wide-angle 28-mm Leica lens and the ability to save images in RAW mode -- an uncompressed format that allows for extensive post-shot editing in Adobe Photoshop. The image sensor has a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, but it can also shoot 3:2 or 4:3 images at the press of a button. Images are excellent for a compact camera, but speeds are just average, so the Panasonic (like most compact cameras) isn't great for action shots. However, a good continuous shooting mode helps better capture action. If you just want a basic camera, the Panasonic is probably overkill.

Best Plasma TV

V Inc. Vizio P50 (Around $1,300)

Best value, 50-inch plasma HDTV. Nearly every reviewer we found cites Vizio plasma TVs as absolutely the best value, and the Vizio P50 gets especially good reviews for its accurate color, good black levels, picture detail and features. Though all experts say the Vizio P50 can't equal the superior performance of a Pioneer or Panasonic plasma TV, the Vizio P50 is an excellent budget pick for those who don't need the best possible picture quality. Experts say the picture will likely need some adjustment out of the box. Critics add that this plasma television actually outperforms many higher-rated TVs in displaying standard-definition TV signals.


Panasonic TH-50PZ700U (Around $2,600)

Best 1080p plasma HDTV, 50 inch. If you want the highest 1080p resolution, critics say that the 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PZ700U offers a strong blend of performance and value. Black levels are among the best available, though not quite as deep as on the more expensive Pioneer KURO PDP-5808HD. Colors are first rate, and there's plenty of contrast and shadow detail. Although 1080p is the highest possible resolution right now, many experts question whether most people will notice a difference over a top-rated 720p plasma TV.


Pioneer KURO PDP-5080HD (Around $3,500)

Most cinematic plasma TV. Although it's over twice the price as some competing 50-inch plasma TVs, reviewers say the Pioneer KURO PDP-5080HD is the best plasma television for those who want the most cinematic image quality. Reviewers say the Pioneer KURO plasma TV displays rich, well-saturated colors and great black levels -- some say they are the best black levels of any flat-panel TV. The Pioneer TV is also packed with features, and an anti-glare screen coating helps reduce glare. The big downside is cost compared to others.


Samsung HP-T4264 (Around $1,400)

Best 42-inch plasma HDTV. While Panasonic and Pioneer usually come out on top in comparisons of plasma TVs, the 42-inch Samsung HP-T4264 is impressing critics with black levels that stand up well to the competition. Reports say color and shadow detail are also good. Included is a host of adjustable picture settings, and connectivity is also good. Altogether, reviews say the Samsung HP-T4264 is a good compromise, sitting between the ultra-budget Vizio TVs and pricier plasma sets from Pioneer and Panasonic.


V Inc. Vizio VP42 (Around $850)

Budget 42-inch plasma HDTV. According to reviews, the Vizio VP42 plasma HDTV has a rare combination of low price and good performance. While it won't beat the best in a head-to-head image-quality competition, reviews say the black levels and color rendition are good. The Vizio VP42 also has good connectivity and is easy to use. Other features include a versatile PIP/POP function. One downside is that this HDTV is harder to find than others.


Panasonic TH-50PH10UK (Around $1,700)

50-inch HD-ready plasma monitor. Reviews say this Panasonic industrial plasma display has some of the most cinematic black levels of any mainstream plasma display. Since it is a monitor and not a true TV, however, the Panasonic TH-50PH10UK has no speakers, no table stand or wall mount, and it offers minimal connections -- even an HDMI input is an extra-cost option. Because this monitor has no tuners, it is best for those who will use separate speakers and get all of their TV from cable or satellite. Reviews say these limitations pale next to the plasma monitor's low price given its top shelf performance.

Best LCD Monitors - Computers

NEC MultiSync 70GX2 (Around $200)

17-inch LCD monitor. Although still very popular with consumers, 17-inch monitors are rarely reviewed professionally. One exception is the NEC MultiSync 70GX2. Reviewers rave about the color quality and say that text, graphics, and video playback all look great. The 70GX2 has a glossy coating that improves brightness, but glare will bother some users in certain lighting conditions. This model was reviewed when new last year, and reviewers cited price as the major disadvantage. Current prices are 50 percent lower, and cheaper than any other recommended 17-inch LCD monitor. The NEC is Windows and Macintosh compatible.

ViewSonic VP930b ( Around $330)

Best 19-inch LCD monitor. Critics say that 19-inch flat-panel monitors don't offer any additional resolution over 17-inch displays. Even so, with a larger screen, text is easier to read. This Windows and Mac-compatible ViewSonic LCD monitor does well in any application from games and movies to text and web surfing, according to reviews. For those who work with graphics or photos, reviews say color fidelity and contrast are excellent. The monitor ships with a CD that includes display calibration software, making it easy to adjust the monitor to fit your preferences. This is a standard 4:3 aspect monitor. Reviews say these are better for viewing web pages than widescreen monitors


Samsung SyncMaster 226BW (Around $320)


Best 22-inch widescreen LCD monitor. Widescreen monitors allow you to view multiple open windows or applications side-by-side more comfortably, and they are very handy for working with wide spreadsheets. But be aware that you’ll be scrolling more to view web pages since the screen isn’t as tall as a 4:3 monitor. Reviewers agree that the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW is the best monitor in this size group. The Windows and Mac compatible Samsung LCD monitor has excellent image quality; reviewers have no criticisms of its performance. Gaming performance is a particular strength of the 226BW. Experts say that widescreen LCD monitors are cheaper for manufacturers to produce, so you can often find a 22-inch widescreen monitor for the same price as a good quality 19-inch standard monitors


BenQ FP241W (Around $730)

Best 24-inch LCD monitor; widescreen. Reviews say the widescreen BenQ FP241W monitor excels in nearly every area. Photos and graphics look vivid and accurate, and text is easy to read. Native resolution is 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. The BenQ FP241W has full HD video capabilities. It can pivot, swivel, and tilt. The monitor is loaded with connectors (including an HDMI port) and features, such as a webcam. Reviewers are very impressed by all you get for the price, and think the BenQ FP241W is a great value. It is PC and Mac compatible.

LCD TV Best Buys

Samsung LN-T5265F ( Around USD 2800)

Best 52-inch LCD HDTV. According to reviewers, the Samsung LN-T5265F is the best blend of screen size, performance and price among LCD TVs. Colors are said to be accurate, and a full range of picture controls allow owners to tweak further. Critics also say that the image is crisp, blacks are impressively deep and shadow detail is good. Even better, the Samsung is inexpensive for a top performing, 52-inch LCD TV, and it costs less than many plasma TVs of this size. Unlike most LCD TVs, the LN-T5265F has a glossy screen coating that's liked by some reviewers, but called too reflective by others. The Samsung LV-T5265F has the highest HDTV resolution of 1080p


Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR4 ( Around USD 3180)

Best 46-inch LCD HDTV. Although more expensive than other LCD TVs, this Sony set delivers cinematic black levels only slightly lighter than those of the best plasma TVs. Shadow detail and color performance are described in reviews as excellent. Because the picture on the Sony KDL-46XBR4 looks better than most LCD TVs when viewed off center, it's a great choice for a family room. The great-looking TV has an elegant floating glass frame but the main reason for the high price is its 120 Hz processing to reduce motion blur. Reviewer opinion differs on how well this works, but all agree that the Sony is a great looking and performing LCD TV.

Westinghouse Digital TX-47F430S ( Around USD 1300)

Top-rated budget 47-inch LCD HDTV. While it doesn't match the color rendition and black levels achieved by top-rated Sony and Samsung LCD TVs, critics say the Westinghouse TX-47F430S comes close, and is a great value for non-picky viewers. Detail and color are good, though shadow detail and black levels fall short. Despite the budget price, this is a 1080p display that can display every bit of an HD broadcast. For the screen size, it's an even better value than most plasma TVs

Syntax-Brillian Olevia 537H ( Around USD 775)

Best budget 37-inch LCD HDTV. While this Syntax-Brillian Olevia LCD TV does not offer the highest 1080p resolution, reviews say that doesn't matter very much for TVs smaller than 40 inches. And, critics say the Olevia 537H outperforms most other LCD TVs in its size and price class when it comes to image quality. Black levels are better than with many LCD TVs, though not as good as LCD TVs from Sony or Samsung. Some say the menu system is confusing to use, and the TV is otherwise feature-light. But reviews say those shortcomings are more than offset by the TV's value.

Samsung LN-T3253H ( Around USD 870)

Best 32-inch LCD HDTV. If you need a smaller TV, reviews say this Samsung model is a standout in its 32-inch screen size. Black levels are said to be deep with great shadow details, good connectivity and attractive styling. Picture quality is said to be great out of the box, but a huge number of picture adjustments lets you tweak the picture to your liking. An adjustable backlight makes it easy to get the right brightness level for both well-lit and darkened viewing situations. The resolution of this TV is just 720p, but experts say that the benefits of higher 1080p resolution are lost in a screen of this size. Some reports say that sound quality could be better.

Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H ( Around USD 500)

Budget 32-inch LCD HDTV. The Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H is the 32-inch version of the larger 37-inch Olevia 537H (*est. $775), which also gets excellent reviews for value and picture quality. This Olevia LCD TV uses a lower 1366 x 768 resolution -- not the highest, but still high-def, and it's feature-light compared to the class leaders. But the Olevia 532H also costs half as much as some Sony or Samsung TVs in this size range, making it an excellent value.

Samsung LN-T2353H ( Around USD 570)

23-inch LCD HDTV. The 23-inch Samsung LN-T2353H is expensive for a small-screen LCD TV but the image quality is first rate, and the styling, featuring a piano-black bezel, fits comfortably into almost any decor. Like some of Samsung's larger-screen offerings, the TV has a startling array of picture controls that make it possible to tweak image quality to perfection. Reports say that sound quality is above average, which is especially important for a small TV that's unlikely to be hooked up to a home theater audio system

Apple MacBook Air

Apple announced the new MacBook Air as the world's thinnest laptop at MacWorld in San Francisco on January 15th, 2008. Its thickness varies from 0.16" to 0.76" as measured from different points along its edge and weighs about 3 lbs. It features a 13.3" LED backlit display, a full-size backlit keyboard, and an oversized multi-touch trackpad. Apple has made use of several new technologies and design features to create an ultra-thin form factor laptop. It does not include an optical media drive.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Extremely thin
•LED backlit display
•Large touchpad with advanced gesture support
•Large backlit keyboard
•802.11n WiFi support
•Intel Core 2 Duo is a great option

Cons:

•Fairly expensive premium for being thin
•No ethernet port
•No optical drive
•Relatively heavy considering how thin it is
•Only 1 USB port
•Recessed USB port makes it hard to connect a 3G USB modem
•Expensive to replace battery. (It is replaceable though)
•Poor battery life (Ars Technica got around 2.5 hours)
•Battery is not replaceable

More information

Specifications

13.3" widescreen LED backlit display
1.6 GHz Standard, 1.8 GHz Option -- Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB Memory standard
80 GB 1.8" hard disk standard, 64 GB SSD as an option.
5 hours of Battery Life
Multi-touch Trackpad
No optical drive
802.11n + Bluetooth 2.1/EDR
45 Watt MagSafe, 1 USB 2.0 port, Micro-DVI, Audio Out
Magnetic latch
3 lbs
Thickness: 0.16" to 0.76"
it fits inside a envelope

Versions

There are two main options for the MacBook Air (now available for pre-order: 1) a 1.6 GHz CPU with 80 GB standard 1.8" hard drive starting at $1799, and 2) a 1.8 GHz CPU with a 64 GB solid state drive (SSD) starting at $3098.

Apple MacBook Air manufacturer page - http://www.apple.com/macbookair/

Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the eighth game released under the Call of Duty franchise, and true to its name, is the fourth main game in the series. While COD3 was developed by a separate studio, COD4 is developed by the game's original designers: Infinity Ward. Thus far the Call of Duty franchise has focused exclusively in the World War 2 era, with the fourth release being the first happening in modern times, and also the first to achieve a mature rating. Similar to the other main releases in the series, COD4 places a heavy emphasis on both the single player campaign and multiplayer portions of the game. Both sides feature new additions to the series, and some new additions to the FPS genre entirely.


Pros & Cons
Pros:


•Insane graphics
•Tons of action going on
•Fantastic presentation
•Very deep multiplayer
•Smooth 60FPS that never slows down
•Custom classes makes each player an individual
•Ranking up and unlocking makes you want to keep playing

Cons:

•Multiplayer is unfriendly to new players
•Single player is short (6-8 hours)
•In-game bonuses make unfair games even worse


More information

Gameplay

Call of Duty is a traditional first person shooter set in a real world setting. You use real guns and fight in realistic areas and locations. Unlike other modern FPS games releasing in 2007, COD does not feature a dedicated cover system, but instead uses the same crouch/prone positioning system in earlier COD games. New to the series is the introduction of a ballistics model, this means that bullet strength is analyzed and can impact the environment, even shooting through certain materials making cover a relative thing.


Campaign

Following the tradition of the franchise, COD4 has you take control of multiple infantry-men fighting from different perspectives of the same war. You'll take control of an American and a British soldier as they try to take down a rogue Arab terrorist, and corrupt Russian military general. Most of the action sees you taking a role in a tight squad in battles that aren't as big as WW2 ones, but still involve dozens of enemies at any one time. The story takes place over the course of 12 different levels and is told through the use of realtime cutscenes, events unfolding during the levels, and certain details fleshed out in the briefings between missions. Level events can occur even if you're not around to see them, meaning you can miss parts of they story if you're not at the right place in the right time. After the main campaign has been completed an arcade mode unlocks that is scored based giving you multipliers and extra points for stringing kill combos together. This is similar to Halo 3's metagame.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer has been a huge part of the Call of Duty series since the beginning, and Modern Warfare is no different. One of the big new changes with COD4 is the introduction of upgrades. As you play more games and accomplish goals such as killing certain number of enemies, you'll rise in military rank - from a lowly soldier to Captian and beyond. As you rise in rank you gain access to more abilities and "perks" as they're known in the game. You have three slots for perks, each slot with its own set of perks that are unlocked as you rise in ranks. Weapons can level up as well. The more you use a particular weapon and gain more kills, the more experience you get with the weapon which unlocks more upgrades and accessory options letting you add more ammo or lower the recoil. All of these upgrade options come together through the game's custom class mechanism where you can choose every aspect of your character's loadout including weapons, grenades and abilities. Similar to other games there are preset classes available, though the main focus is on creating your own that suits your playstyle the best.

Multiplayer is competitive only with no co-op modes available. Action takes place over 16 different maps that support between 16 and 18 players. Six different game types are available ranging from standard deathmatch to more objective based modes that are reminiscent of bombing runs and assault. And similar to Halo 3 each game type can be further customized with various options to increase longevity. One of the modes available is known as "Hardcore" in this mode you have no HUD, and bullets deliver more damage to give a more realistic feel.

Finding matches in Modern Warfare is again similar to Halo 3. It uses a lobby system where you can group up with some friends and go between matches together. You can also search for custom games that are unranked. Both the PS3 and 360 version feature the same matchmaking system, with the only difference being the 360 version uses Microsoft's TrueKill metric to aid in bringing players of similar skill level together.

Version details

Infinity Ward stresses that all three versions of the game are nearly identical. If you have a top of the line PC, then that version will look the best, but for the most part they all look the same running at a constant 60 frames per second. The PS3 version supports both USB and Bluetooth headsets, but does not support the upcoming Dualshock 3 rumble, with no plans in the future.

Serious Drama, And Lots Of Stupidity, Behind Stage6 Shutdown

Yesterday San Diego based DivX announced the shutdown of popular video site Stage6, to the surprise and dismay of the site’s 17.4 million happy monthly visitors (the post on the shutdown has over 5,000 comments).

There’s lots of speculation around why DivX is shutting the site down, ranging from piracy issues to the spiraling CDN costs of streaming all that HD content. But what really happened, according to multiple sources, is that a ridiculous battle of egos at the DivX board level caused most of the team to simply quit. DivX, essentially, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

First a bit of history - just before DivX went public in late 2006 it launched Stage6 as a way to show off the capabilities of the DivX codec. Without any promotion at all the site quickly gathered users. By mid 2007, when the site went into beta, it had millions of users and tens of millions of page views. The high quality video was key - users simply flocked to it.

DivX cofounder and CEO Jordan Greenhall knew he had a potential hit on his hands. He decided to explore a sale of Stage6, and hired investment bank Montgomery & Co. to see who might buy it. He also started pitching VCs on the idea of funding it as a spinoff. Given the conflict of interest, he resigned as CEO of DivX - president Kevin Hell took over the company. Darrius Thompson, (DivX co-founder), Mark How (DivX VP Business Development), Mark Chweh, Chester Ng and about 20 other DivX employees joined him. All shared the title of “cofounder” at Stage6.

Montgomery spent the second half of 2007 pitching Stage6 to buyers, although there wasn’t much interest. But VCs were eager to buy in to the idea of a spinoff. By November they had commitments from Crosslink Capital, Sofinnova France and Mission Ventures to invest $20 million at a $90 million post money valuation. Another $5 million was committed from a strategic investor, plus $2 million more from “friends and family.” All in all, Stage6 was preparing to close a $27 million round. DivX was to retain 20% ownership in the new funded entity.

Not only was DivX to receive a substantial chunk of equity in the new company, they’d be able to get the operating costs, estimated to be around $1 million/month in CDN costs alone, off their books. And Stage6 was to give most of their 2008 revenues back to Divx as well.

Those revenues were not immaterial. Everyone who views a video on Stage6 must first download the DivX player. Packaged with the download was an option to download the Yahoo Toolbar. The revenue from Yahoo to DivX is around $16 million per year. Our sources estimate that half that, or around $8 million/year, was due to Stage6 downloads. And that share was growing - 2008 toolbar revenues may have been as high as $10 million, making Stage6 almost breakeven.

At a meeting in late November the DivX board was asked to approve the spinoff and venture financing. But at the last minute the board decided to cancel the spinoff and retain control of Stage6. It’s not clear why they did this - perhaps they were surprised at the valuation and wanted to keep control of the assets. Or perhaps the revenue from Stage6 was too material for them to let it go over the long run. From what we hear a massive battle of ego’s ultimately killed the deal. But when the decision was made, the key Stage6 founders resigned. DivX made a brief announcement about Greenhall’s departure, and added that it “expects to take additional time to consider the alternatives available to the Company related to the future of the Stage6 service.”

From that point everyone expected DivX to just continue to run the site. But over December and January they may have become concerned again about the costs of streaming the video and running the site without most of the key team there to look after things. Three weeks ago, we hear, DivX re-approached Greenhall and asked if they’d like to do the original deal. Greenhall declined.

So then DivX announced the closure of Stage6. When it shuts down all those millions of DivX downloads and associated Yahoo revenue goes away with it. At the end of the day DivX threw out the baby, the bathwater, millions of dollars in revenue and tens of millions of users. Their board and executive team, in short, look like fools. Investors seem to agree - the stock hit an all time low today.

DivX declined to comment on this post.

By

Michael Arrington

Canon HV30 - Camcoder

The Canon HV30 is the successor to the award winning HV20 camcorder, building upon the same core as the HV20 adding some extra features in response to fans and critics. On the surface the cameras look very similar with the HV30 coming in black instead of silver and retaining the same barrel shaped form factor to accommodate the 10x optical zoom lens. Alongside the same lens the HV30 uses the same progressive capture 1/2.7" CMOS sensor that records video in the HDV format (1440x1080 resolution) onto miniDV tapes. The major improvements come from fixing some annoying design decisions of the HV20 and the addition of a 30p recording mode for Internet content.

Pros & Cons

Pros:


•30p mode is a very welcome addition
•Same great recording performance as HV20
•Much improved hot shoe cover that doesn't fall off
•Great manual controls
•Fast auto focus

Cons:

•No focus ring
•Worse than Sony for ease of use
•Auto-Focus snaps to focus instantly

More information

Specs

10x optical zoom lens
3.1MP CMOS sensor
up to 1080i video recording
miniDV tapes for storage
2.7" LCD monitor, 211K pixels
Internal lens cover mechanism
Battery life: 1 hour
Data ports: USB2.0, Firewire
Video ports: Component, S-Video, HDMI

The instant auto focus mechanism uses a separate AF sensor to determine distance to the subject, with the image processor handling the finer adjustments. In good lighting conditions and using the standard 60i recording mode the AF takes about 2 seconds to work. The number decreases when the lighting is lower and can be dramatically increased if the AF sensor is covered, and the 24p/30p shooting modes are used.

The 24p shooting mode is a carry-over from the HV20 and attempts to simulate the more blurred motion of natural film movies. Canon also includes the cine shooting mode that changes gamma and color settings to achieve a more muted film-like look. New for 2008 is the introduction of the 30p mode. This mode captures a progressive image at 30 frames per second. The benefit of 30p is that it converts better to Internet formats that are usually viewed at 15 frames per second. Alongside the natural blurring that occurs at the 24p/30p modes, these slower capture rates have the added benefit of better low light performance.

Nubrella

The Nubrella is a hands-free umbrella that sits on your shoulders and covers your upper body with a waterproof canopy. The Nubrella basically eliminates the problem of your umbrella turning inside-out and allows you to have 2 hands free while walking, making it easier to talk on the phone or carry things when it's raining. Nubrella is a patent-pending design, created by Alan Kaufman.

Pros & Cons

Pros:


•Can bike with an umbrella
•Hands-free umbrella
•Reasonably priced

Cons:

•Goofy looking
•Can't share the umbrella

More information

Features

Tested up to 50mph
Folding design
Over-the-shoulder carrying case
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Spring-loaded opening and closing
Push-button opening
Canopy materials: thermoplastic polyurethane and nylon
Adjustable shoulder straps


• Official Nubrella site - http://www.nubrella.com/

Sony VAIO TZ150N Laptop Review

I purchased the Sony VAIO TZ150N to replace my outdated desktop and after only a couple of weeks, I'm coming to realise it's been the best purchase I have made in quite a long time. As a first time expensive computer buyer, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I first purchased the laptop. I’ve come to find that the Sony VAIO TZ150N is top of the line in just about every way, including speed, power, and appearance.


Processor Brand: Intel
Processor Class: Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 1.06 GHz
Mobile Technology: Intel Centrino Duo
Installed Memory: 1 GB
Hard Drive Capacity: 100 GB
Display Size: 11.1 in
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
Weight: 2.6 lbs


The Sony VAIO TZ150N’s design is what catches your eye to begin with. It’s has a wonderful look that really draws the eye. Unlike a lot of computers today, this one is slim and light. It seems like Sony has taken the initiative to join in with the rest of the computer makers who are offering slim computers. I’ve discovered that this one is not all flash, though. There are some big time features, as well. .


The first thing that caught my eye was the excellent battery life. On average, the battery lasts for close to four hours, so you never have to worry about your machine dying at the worst time. This was a draw for me, since my old computer had chronic battery problems. In addition, I appreciate the added performance that I get out of the machine. It comes equipped with 1GB of ram and has an Intel Core 2 Duo, which makes it one of the most powerful machines on the market. .


The fringe features are something to write about, as well. This machine is small and is only about an inch thick. That didn’t stop them from outfitting the Sony VAIO TZ150N with a DVD burner, though. This extra feature allows me the freedom to copy video files without having to leave the house. The computer also features an enhanced sound system, which makes movie watching an absolute pleasure. Before I purchased the machine, I read some reviews that were critical of the computer’s screen. I have had no such problems, though, and still find the screen to be both functional and good looking. .


I was particularly concerned with getting a computer that had flat keys. The keyboard is much like many Apple computers, in that the keys are evenly spaced out and the keys are not raised. This makes typing much easier and allows me to complete papers and other assignments without too much trouble. In addition to that, the touchpad is highly functional and quite easy to use. I have long been a fan of the button on IBM computers, but this new touchpad has opened my eyes to a new way of doing things. .


All in all, the price of this computer is fairly high compared to many other computers, but is somewhat low on the Sony scale of things. It checks in at just under $2,300, though I managed to get mine on sale. It comes with a standard one year warranty, but that can be extended to a two-year warrant for only $149. That is what I did and it makes me feel much better about my machine. .


The Sony VAIO TZ150N is the perfect computer for a person who cares about sleek design. It’s a thin, powerful laptop that packs a lot of punch. That, combined with the powerful battery, makes this computer a great buy. Because it’s so expensive, it’s definitely a good idea to go with the extended warranty, though.

Moon in my room - Toy

Uncle Milton's Moon in my Room is a remote controlled, illuminated moon that hangs on the wall of any room. It has a sensor to determine when it's dark, which then causes it to light up. The moon moves in 12 lunar phases, accurately representing the real phases of the moon. The moonscape is also an accurate representation of the real moon, and comes with an audio CD to give you a guided tour of the moon and space.


Pros & Cons

Pros:


•Can be used as a nightlight
•Not that expensive
•Very cool nightlight
•Displays accurate moon phases
•Lights up automatically

Cons:

•Uses a lot of battery power
•Doesn't track the moon real time
•No AC adapter - batteries only

More information

Features

Diameter: 10"
Weight: 2 pounds
Batteries: 4 AA and 2 AAA
Mounts to wall at 3 places
Includes: calendar with moon phase charts, CD with guided moon tour, remote

• Uncle Milton official site - http://www.unclemilton.com/

Sony Handycam HDR-HC9 - Camcoder

The Handycam HDR-HC9 is the upgrade to Sony's 2007 miniDV camcorder, the HC7. With this 2008 offering Sony provides minor improvements over the award winning HC7. The camera retains its barrel-shaped form factor that houses the Carl Zeiss lens with 10x optical zoom. HDV footage with a resolution of 1440x1080 is recorded onto the miniDV tapes, standard definition DV footage can also be captured through the menu settings. The HC9 retains the same touch-screen menu based interface and offers a host of manual controls from white balance and infinity focus, to peaking functionality and colored outlining.


Pros & Cons

Pros:


•HDV is a standard format that all video software recognizes
•Plenty of manual controls
•Good selection of outputs including USB2.0, Firewire, Component, HDMI
•Great video capture quality
•Internal, automatic lens cover
•Black design is better than silver
•Better quality compression for MiniDV over solid-state media formats

Cons:

•Still limited to proprietary Sony accessories


More information

Specs


- 10x optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens
- 3.2MP CMOS sensor
- up to 1080i video recording
- miniDV tapes for storage
- 2.7" LCD touch screen monitor, 211K pixels
- Internal lens cover mechanism
- Records video with x.v.Color (need a compatible TV to view)
- Data ports: USB2.0, Firewire
- Video ports: Component, S-Video, HDMI

Differences between HC7 and HC9

Body - the HC9 comes in a black color while the HC7 is silver.

Memory stick support - The HC9 supports a memory stick duo capacity of 8GB while the HC7 is limited to 4GB.

USB support - for transferring data the HC9 uses a USB2.0 interface which is significantly faster than the HC7's USB1.1 interface.

Everex gBook - Laptop

The Everex gBook VA1500V will be Everex's first full-sized laptop. Like their gPC and CloudBook the gBook runs gOS Linux and comes pre-loaded with open-source and free software tools, and has is marketed as an entry level budget laptop. It features a 1.5GHz VIA C7 -M Processor, 512MB DDR2 SDRAM, 60GB SATA HDD, DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive, 15.4” WXGA+ Widescreen Display, VIA Chrome9™ HC IGP and WLAN 802.11b/g.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

•Good gOS user interface
•Great price
•Decent specifications

Cons:

•Lacks RAM
•Poor video card

More information

Operating System: gOS V2 Rocket

Processor: 1.5GHz VIA C7-M Processor

Display: 15.4" WVGA+ TFT Widescreen (1440 x 900 native resolution)

Preinstalled and Linked Software: Mozilla FireFox, gMail, Meebo, Skype, Google Documents & Spreadsheets, Google Calendar, Google News, Google Maps, Wikipedia, Google Product Search, GIMP, Blogger, YouTube, Xine Movie Player, RhythmBox, Faqly, Facebook and OpenOffice.org 2.3 (includes WRITER, IMPRESS, MATH, DRAW)

Memory: 512MB DDR2 667MHz SDRAM (2GB Max)

Hard Disk Drive: 60GB, 5400RPM SATA-150

Hard Disk Drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive

Graphic: VIA UniChrome9™ HC IGP with 64MB shared memory and DirectX 9 support

Audio: VIA VT1708A Vinyl High Definition Audio Codec with built-in speakers

WLAN: 802.11b/g

LAN: 10/100 Ethernet

I/O: (1) VGA port, (3) USB 2.0 ports, (1) RJ45 Ethernet port, (1) Headphone/Line Out jack, (1) Microphone/ Line In jack

Battery: 3-Cell (11.1/.V, 2200mAh), rechargeable, removable Lithium-Ion

Warranty & Support: 1 Year Limited Warranty with 24/7 Toll-Free Technical Support

Dimensions: 14.06" x 10.67 x 1.02-1.54" (W x D x H)

Weight: 5.3 pounds

MSRP: $399

Release Date: not announced

Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 - Digital Cameras

The Sony Alpha DSLR-A350, along with the DSLR-A300 are Sony's latest announced Digital SLR cameras. These models are essentially upgrades to the Alpha DSLR-A200 release in the fall of 2007. Both the 350 and 300 two distinct new features: 1) Live View mode for the LCD viewfinder, and 2) an articulating LCD screen. Also, the A350 offers a significant increase in its resolution, increasing to 14.2 megapixels, up from 10.2 megapixels in the A200. The A350 offers further penetration by Sony into the DSLR market, since the introduction of its first DSLR camera in the Alpha line, the Alpha DSLR-A100 release in the summer of 2006.


Pros & Cons

Pros:


•Features live view LCD viewfinder with dedicated sensor
•Competitively priced
•Extremely high resolution sensor @ 14.2 megapixels
•Unique articulating LCD screen

Cons:

Nothing at the Moment

More information

Features


- 14.2-megapixel Super HAD CCD
- new Live View mode with secondary image sensor for the LCD
- swiveling, articulating LCD screen
- continuous burst mode: 2 fps
- memory: compact flash media
- ISO Sensitivity: 100 to 3,200
- super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization offers from 2.5 to 3.5 stops of compensation
- Bionz Image Processor
- Dynamic Range Optimizer: Normal DRO improves detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time. Advanced DRO adjusts dynamic range area-by-area.
- Anti-Dust Technology
- Auto Pop-Up Flash
- Eye-Start Autofocus System
- 9-Point Center Cross AF Sensor
- 40-segment honeycomb metering system
- Scene Selection Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset and Night - Portrait/Night View situations
- Creative Style Settings
- 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Screen
- Index and Slide Show Display
- High-Resolution Thumbnails for PhotoTV HD Viewing
- Function Guide Display

Live View

Sony's implementation of live view places a second, low-resolution, dedicated image sensor to be used by the LCD viewfinder. The rationale behind Live View is to improve the response time of the digital viewfinder, so that it mimics the behavior of an optical viewfinder. The low-resolution sensor introduces less lag between the actual image and the image rendered to the LCD by requiring less processing time by the camera's internal circuitry. There is a mirror inside the pentamirror arrangement that reflects the image to the secondary live view sensor.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Video Games

The third entry in the popular Smash Bros. series, and the first to come to the Nintendo Wii. There are four ways to play the game, using the Wii-mote and nunchuck, using the Wii-mote(turned on its side), using the classic controller, and using the Gamecube controller. The graphics have been improved taking advantage of the added horsepower the Wii offers. There are new items, including the Gooey Bomb, which sticks to anything it touches and explodes after a short time. There is also the Cracker Launcher, which rapidly fires firecrackers into the air, the Golden Hammer, which is an upraged regular hammer that is faster, does mroe damage, and allows the user to float over open air, and the Banana Peel, which shockingly enough trips up foes when thrown on the ground. New stages will also be included, as well as updated looks for old favorites.


Pros & Cons

Pros:

•Many new characters added to the series
•Ability to create your own stages
•Lots of new items and stages
•Numerous customization options
•Supports Wi-Fi play
•Can play with Wiimote, Gamecube, or Classic controller, and fully customizable
•Fluid game play at 60 fps
•Fantastic in-game soundtrack

Cons:

•Subspace Emissary story mode is somewhat repetitive
•No online leaderboard or statistic tracking
•Long 20 sec. load at the beginning of the game


More information

Playable characters


New characters are also being added. Zero Suit Samus, Wario, Pit (Kid Icarus), Meta Knight (Kirby), Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid), Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog), and Ike (Fire Emblem). Solid Snake is the first non-Nintendo character that has been invited to fight in the Smash Bros. arena, opening up the possibility that more non-Nintendo characters will be announced. But don't worry, many fighters from previous Smash Bros. games will be returning for another round.

Mario
Link
Kirby
Pikachu
Fox
Samus
Zelda
Bowser
Fox
Donkey Kong
Yoshi
Zero Suit Samus *
Wario *
Pit *
Meta Knight *
Solid Snake *
Ike *
Pokemon Trainer *
Sonic *
Diddy Kong *
Lucas *
King Dedede *
Pikmin and Olimar*
Lucario*
Jigglypuff
Ness

* indicates new to Smash Bros. See the full "Dojo" on smashbros.com


New Elements to the game

New elements to the game are the final smash, assist trophies and online. The final smash is a super devastating move which can only be performed once and only after obtaining a smash ball. Each final smash is character specific. Assist trophies are like Poke Balls except that instead of Pokemon you get a random video game character that assists you in battle. Online multiplayer will be a welcome feature to the series.

Trailer




• Official Smash Bros. website - http://www.smashbros.com/

gOS - Operating System - Free

gOS is an freely distributed operating system based off of the Ubuntu distribution and Enlightenment window manager. Most notably, it comes pre-installed on the affordable Everex series of PCs. It is marketed as an alternative O/S that includes a minimal amount of installed desktop software, relying heavily on online web applications like GMail, and Google docs for productivity. gOS does come with open-source pre-installed software packages like GIMP and OpenOffice. gOS can be downloaded for free, and fits compactly on under 2GB of disk space.

Microsoft's rivalry with Google heated up considerably this past year when rumors surfaced that Google might release its own operating system to compete with Windows. Has Google finally jumped into the fray with its own OS?

Unfortunately, no; gOS is not a "Google OS" nor is it affiliated with Google (though Desktop Linux has reported that Google has seen gOS and approved inclusion of the Google toolbar with the operating system).

gOS is developed by Good OS LLC out of Los Angeles. It's based on Ubuntu Linux 7.10 and runs the Enlightenment E17 interface instead of KDE or Gnome. Despite not being created by Google, the focus of gOS is Google's online applications such as GMail, Google News, Google Maps, Google Calendar, YouTube, etc. It's a neat concept for a Linux distribution, but how practical is it?

Pros & Cons

Pros:

•Can be downloaded for free
•Slick, customizable interface reminiscent of OS X
•Includes productivity software like GIMP and OpenOffice
•Helps keep PC costs down

Cons:

•Additional applications need to be downloaded via Synaptic package manager
•No recycle bin
•Minimize, maximize, close buttons are at the top-left of the window
•Downloadable version can't play DVDs or mp3s without additional library installation and configuration.

More information

Versions History

gOS 1.0.1 was launched in November, 2007 and was featured in the Everex gPC. At CES 2008, on January 7th, 2008 the current version (v2.0) debuted and is known as gOS Rocket.

Download the gOS 2.0 beta here - http://thinkgos.com/downloads.php


• gOS official site - http://thinkgos.com/

Apple iPod Nano

According to Apple the iPod Nano is the most successful portable music player in history. Up until now the device lacked many of the features found in its bigger sibling. The new generation of iPod Nanos remain smaller, thinner but now include video playback and photo viewing features. To accommodate the new display intensive features the form factor of the Nano is substantially different. Known on the street as the "phatpod" the new Nano is wider and stubbier with dimensions coming in at a boxy 2.75 inches high and 2.06 inches wide. The thickness is reduced to a depth of 0.26 inches, or 6.5mm.


Pros & Cons

Pros:


•Now plays video with a high quality screen
•Ridiculously thin
•Good capacity and features for the price
•Cover flow is awesome
•Feels just right in your hand.

Cons:

•Battery still not user replaceable.
•The backside is very easily scratched.
•Some units have a crooked screen (~2mm slant)
•The "manual" is a joke
•More expensive than competitors with similar features
•Cover flow is choppy due to less powerful processor
•Chubby form factor looks lame


Competing products

Apple iPod Nano is ranked 5th. See the top picks in MP3 Players

100%prefer Apple iPod Touch
60% prefer Creative Zen
50% prefer SanDisk Sansa View
50% prefer Archos 405
40% prefer Microsoft Zune 8
25% prefer Slacker Portable Player
25% prefer Cowon iAudio 7
20% prefer iriver clix gen 2

More information

The Nano's screen at 320x240 is the same resolution as the fifth generation iPod Video and the iPod Classic. At a screen size of 2.0" Apple states that the Nano's pixel density is the highest in the world. All iPod compatible videos and photos are viewable on the Nano and are accessed with the new "Enhanced" user interface. Apple has upgraded the interface to make full use of the extra screen real estate. Now there is more information and graphics displayed when browsing through the music, photo, and video library. The unique Cover Flow navigation system where you "flip" between albums is also a new addition.

Similar to the bigger iPods custom games are supported on the Nano. Three different games are bundled with the device stored in the memory, with more games available for purchase from the iTunes store.

Despite the new form factor the Nano retains the same data connection port making it compatible with all current iPod accessories. Furthermore a new arm band will be released for runners to use with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. Apple rates the battery life for the Nano at 24 hours for audio playback, and 5 hours for video.

iPod Nano Versions

4GB version comes in only one color: silver.
8GB version comes in five different colors: black, red, silver, blue, and green.


• iPod Nano technical specifications - http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/specs.html

• iPod Nano official home page - http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/

Microsoft Windows XP - Operating System

Windows XP is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on general-purpose computer systems, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. The letters "XP" stand for eXPerience. It was codenamed "Whistler", after Whistler, British Columbia, as many Microsoft employees skied at the Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort during its development. Windows XP is the successor to both Windows 2000 Professional and Windows Me, and is the first consumer-oriented operating system produced by Microsoft to be built on the Windows NT kernel and architecture. Windows XP was first released on October 25, 2001, and over 400 million copies were in use in January 2006, according to an estimate in that month by an IDC analyst. It is succeeded by Windows Vista, which was released to volume license customers on November 8, 2006, and worldwide to the general public on January 30, 2007.

Cons:

•No Microsoft support for the mainstream after April 14 2009

More information

The most common editions of the operating system are Windows XP Home Edition, which is targeted at home users, and Windows XP Professional, which has additional features such as support for Windows Server domains and two physical processors, and is targeted at power users and business clients. Windows XP Media Center Edition has additional multimedia features enhancing the ability to record and watch TV shows, view DVD movies, and listen to music. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is designed to run the ink-aware Tablet PC platform. Two separate 64-bit versions of Windows XP were also released, Windows XP 64-bit Edition for IA-64 (Itanium) processors and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition for x86-64.

Windows XP is known for its improved stability and efficiency over the 9x versions of Microsoft Windows. It presents a significantly redesigned graphical user interface, a change Microsoft promoted as more user-friendly than previous versions of Windows. New software management capabilities were introduced to avoid the "DLL hell" that plagued older consumer-oriented 9x versions of Windows. It is also the first version of Windows to use product activation to combat software piracy, a restriction that did not sit well with some users and privacy advocates. Windows XP has also been criticized by some users for security vulnerabilities, tight integration of applications such as Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player, and for aspects of its default user interface.

Windows XP had been in development since early 1999, when Microsoft started working on Windows Neptune, an operating system intended to be the "Home Edition" equivalent to Windows 2000 Professional. It was eventually merged into the Whistler project, which later became Windows XP.