Garmin Nuvi 660

The Garmin Nuvi 660 is an elite GPS navigation unit, providing all the functionality and features needed to travel the city or the countryside.

Measuring in at 4.9x2.9by0.9 inches and 6.2 ounces, the Garmin Nuvi 660 is a strong, sturdy device, yet still sleek and compact enough to make it prefect for use in or out of the car. And the extra size is put to good use, since the Garmin Nuvi 660 boasts an extraordinary 4.3-inch display screen, making it a full inch larger than its predecessor, the Garmin Nuvi 350. The touch screen has an incredible 480x272 pixel resolution, allowing for crisp, colorful visuals that are still easily readable in direct sunlight.

All of the unit's functions are accessible through the touch screen, putting everything right at your fingertips. The interface is completely intuitive, with easy-to-read menus, icons, and options. The on-screen keyboard is also quite large, only adding to the ease of use. Since everything is handled through the touch screen, the external design is a picture of simplicity, containing only a power switch on the top. The right side has an SD expansion slot, a USB port, and a headphone jack. A flip-up patch antenna stores neatly into the back.

The device is equipped with a WAAS-enabled (Wide Area Augmentation System) GPS receiver for unmatched position accuracy, and it comes preloaded with maps of North America. Other features include integrated Bluetooth, text-to-speech, traffic capabilities, travel tools, and multimedia functions.

Nokia Prism

While the rest of the cell phone world has gone on a diet, Nokia has kept their phones relatively “plump” – until now. The Nokia 7500 Prism is beautiful, stunning, and has finally embarked on a diet program that seems to be working out solely for appearance's sakes. Nokia has always created cell phones that were just a bit different, which usually gained the company a lot of attention, but the Prism should have been called “chameleon” due to its ability to run with the pack, but still stand out.

The Prism does shine, but its overall features tend to be a bit off the mark. To start, the Prism’s keypad is somewhat difficult to use. Nokia focused the keypad design upon fashion, rather than function. The keys are literally sliced in half in order to create a triangular “prismatic” effect. Although the keypad looks good, you would have to have child-like hands in order to touch one number without tapping another. Other problems with the Prism include a camera that is located on the bottom of the phone, which makes it rather awkward, and a volume button that is difficult to control.

Overall, the Prism is a good looking, thin phone, but it lacks substance. Testers found the phone to be somewhat frustrating upon use, but the overall diamond shaped theme was able to attract a fair share of users. When it comes to the Nokia Prism, you will have to decide whether you are seeking beauty or brains, because in this case, you can’t have both.

A Novel Idea from Sony

Have you ever thought about carrying twelve novels in your arms? They can get quite heavy. This new style of reading is a great idea for students. How may of our children are sitting in front of a computer right now playing games, blogging and e-mailing their friends? Wouldn't it be fantastic if they were using the Sony Digital Reader instead?

Most children and young adults would prefer the computer to opening a good book. With this hand-held device, they can have both without having to take breaks to rest their eyes, and the digital book has a no-glare screen and no back light so it eliminates eyestrain. It has a light that attaches to it to provide extra light when needed. The light, sold separately, can be purchased for $14.99. The digital book weighs only 9 ounces is 1/3'' thin and can hold up to 160 e-books. The digital books formats include Adobe® PDF, RTF, TXT, BBeB and Microsoft Word. It also has a rechargeable battery pack, and a long battery life; you can read about 7500 pages continuously without having to recharge. With Sony connect you can browse hundreds of titles and you can go to other sites that have unsecured E-Books in file formats that the Reader supports.

There are several sites where you can get free e-books so it is unnecessary to buy them; you can purchase the Digital Reader from several sites as well as it is not in local stores yet. The lowest price I have found to date was at Sony Style for $299.99.

Apple iPhone Mania

The iPhone is Apple Inc’s latest multi-media and internet supportive GSM mobile phone. It was conceptualized by Steve Jobs, whose vision was to create a cell phone with portable access to information. It made its debut in the U.S. in June, 2007, and is currently being introduced world-wide in stages. Some of its features include:

1)Camera phone.
2)Portable media player that includes the iPod.
3)Text messaging.
4)Visual voice mail.
5)E-mail.
6)Internet surfing.
7)Wi-Fi connectivity.
8)Virtual keyboard and touch screen.
9)Video player but not video recorder.
10)TV watching.
11)To buy and download songs from the iTunes Store directly into the iPhone.
12)In-built Wi-Fi to access internet.
13)Displays real web pages instead of simplified ones as in other phones.
14)Supports wireless ear pieces that use Bluetooth technology.

The iPhone's camera works just like a regular digital camera. It's camera images can be accessed on the Mac’s iPhoto software.

There are fundamental differences in the software of the iPhone and Mac Operating System, but Apple Inc is working towards achieving compatibility between the two. The iPhone’s Safari web browser is its platform to support third party applications written with AJAX.

The iPhone’s maintenance includes its built-in rechargeable battery. This battery has a one year warranty that can be extended with a warranty purchase from AppleCare. When the warranty expires, a battery replacement costs USD $79. This cost must be taken into consideration when a buyer makes the purchase of around USD $399 for the iPhone.

iPhone’s SIM card lock and activation can be made to bypass the AT & T network by using a combination of customized software and modification of the iTunes’ binary codes.

The iPhone

Reviewers seem to agree that the new iPhone is the most amazing gadget to come on the market in a very long time. It is compact and easy to use. Among its many features are an alarm clock, calculator, world clock, stopwatch, timer, notepad, calendar and camera. It's capable of browsing the Internet with a Safari browser and a WiFi browser, which is very fast. You can also get a 6-day weather forecast. It has a wonderful 3-1/2" touch-screen that you can scroll through by swiping your finger over it, and tap twice to access any particular part of the web page. With pictures, you can "pinch" your fingers together on the screen to zoom in and "unpinch" them to zoom out. The iPod feature is the most highly touted off all its features. It is easy to use and visually exciting. It uses old-fashioned album covers from which you can make your selection. It also has a 2mp camera that takes quality pictures, but no video capability.

The virtual keyboard is quite small, but once you get used to it, even large fingers can use it without too much trouble. Strangely enough, the least amazing part of the iPhone is the call quality, which is not what you would expect in a device so expensive. It uses AT&T EDGE exclusively. The battery will take about 400 charges, but must be sent back to AT&T to be replaced; users cannot replace it themselves.

Home Theater Emerges

Creating a home theater doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg! A home entertainment system can be simplistic or complicated depending on your goals.

If your purse tops out at around $10,000 and you have some technical skills don't worry, the following setup will complete your project with flying colors. Beginning with the basics, search, find and purchase a 60-inch Pioneer plasma TV and a 32-inch Sony Bravia LCD television. Next on your list is the Denon receiver, Blu-ray DVD player, and HD DirectTV with DVR. Use your resources to find the best deal in your area. The last additions to your new home theater are a 20-inch Panasonic LCD television, Universal Remote Control MX-850, Lutron RadioRA Lighting System, and Sonance in-ceiling speakers. The Universal Remote Control uses a RF frequency that communicates with your electronics from anywhere in the house. Use your specific home layout for configuring the new theater to your needs.

For those who have a bit more money to spend, the next setup will render you speechless. Begin this project with homesmarthome.net for overall design and installation. After acquiring the following building blocks, your technician will then install your new system. Shop for a Sim2 Domino30 DLP projector which features digital surround sound and additional cutting-edge technology that will give the ultimate viewing experience. Select a 76-inch Stewart Filmscreen GrayHawk screen with a flexible front screen that gives superior image quality. Definitive Technology IW-SUB subwoofer and Definitive Technology SubAmp600 together provide bass-driven optimal power using a relatively small area. The Denon AVR-3806 receiver features multi-channel performance and multi-zone functionality. The Denon DVD-1920 player is a universal player that has virtual surround sound. Panamax model 4300EX power conditioner protects your equipment from power surges and strikes. To achieve outstanding surround sound quality, three more items must be obtained. Sonance Symphony 623T in-wall loudspeakers (quantity 3), Sonance SRS-1 in-ceiling surround loudspeakers (quantity 2), and Sonance Symphony 622TR in-ceiling loudspeakers (quantity 2) all of which pivot for maximum sound quality. And last but not least, the Universal Remote Control MX-850 completes the system. This home theater setup ballparks around $15,000.

Of course, whether or not you have more funding or less, some adjustments and accommodations may be necessary. Remember to do your homework as far as retail shopping goes and don't forget there are numerous resources available for consultation.

LG and YouTube Join Forces in Mobile Technology

LG Electronics is a worldwide technology leader in mobile communications, and is pairing up with YouTube, the leading online video community where people can watch and share originally created videos. LG announced an agreement to provide YouTube on its handsets, allowing users to view and upload videos. LG will apply a new user interface for easily accessing and uploading video content on its upcoming handsets. They will be available worldwide starting at the end of the year.

LG customers will be able to film, upload, and view videos on YouTube using their mobile phone, just as they would with a home computer. LG seems to be driving forward with wireless internet services and uniting its technology leadership in the mobile industry, according to the President and CEO of LG, Dr. Skott Ahn. “People want to be able to capture interesting moments with their cell phones wherever they are and whenever they want,” said Steve Chen, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer for YouTube. “We’re excited to be partnering with LG to give people the opportunity to enjoy YouTube for watching and sharing those moments.”

LG first announced its agreement to pre-install Google’s services on its handsets in March 2007. As a first step in this partnership, LG and Google have already launched the world’s first HSDPA Smartphone with Google services pre-installed, the LG-KS10. The KS10 features Google Search, Gmail™ Mobile, and Google Maps™ Mobile. The phone first hit shelves in Italy this year in April.