iPod Shuffle 2GB MP3 Player (Green)

How much music can one person possibly listen to? That is a tough question, but 2GB of memory can hold up to 500 songs (depending on the size of each song). 500 songs would play continuously for a day without repeating. That is a lot of music, making the Apple iPod Shuffle MP3 Player a lightweight microscopic music library. I purchased an iTouch for my daughter and the first generation 30GB Zune and newer 8GB Zune for my son. As a result, I have had some exposure to features available on other MP3 players.

The Apple iPod Shuffle MP3 Player is very simple. The entire package arrived in a small plastic box slightly smaller than a watch box. The unit consists of the actual player, which is shorter and thinner than a stick of gum and about twice the thickness. The MP3 player has a clip attached to the back and a switch next to a small hole in one end. This hole connects the MP3 player to the USB port on your computer using the short USB cable enclosed, as well as a set of headphones. The headphones and USB cable are the only other pieces of hardware in this package. The headphones contain the volume and selection switch. In addition to the hardware, this package contains a small warranty pamphlet (one year limited warranty) and the start up guide.

The start up guide is a strip of paper folded into four quadrants. The set up guide provides the URL to download and install iTunes (www.apple.com/ipod/start) which provides the platform for managing the device. The USB cable is used to connect the device to your computer, which also charges the MP3 player. With the Apple iPod Shuffle MP3 Player connected to your computer and the program downloaded, the on screen instructions will walk you through the rest. The iTunes program is intuitive to navigate, making it easy to manage your song selections. While the device is charging, you can sync your iPod to any music already available on your computer. Ripping songs from CDs to play on your MP3 player is also very easy. Inserting a music CD into your computer while the iTunes program is running will automatically create a prompt asking if you want to copy the CD. A list of check marks next to each song on the CD allows you to deselect any songs you don't want included. The user guide is available on line at www.apple.com/support/manuals/ipod.

The Apple iPod Shuffle MP3 Player has exceptionally easy controls, which are not necessarily intuitive, but simple enough to learn very quickly. After the MP3 player is charged, you can remove the USB cable and insert the headphones. The player contains a switch that has three positions. They are Off, Play in Order and Shuffle. If the switch is moved to the first position, the MP3 player will resume playing wherever it left off and play the next song in the order that it was synced to the ipod (that play list can be altered using iTunes). If the selector is moved to shuffle, the next song will be selected randomly. A small status light between the switch and earphone port indicates the power level. Green indicates a charged battery, red indicates the unit is charging (when connected to the computer). When the unit is in use, green indicates at least a fifty percent charge, orange indicates a twenty-five percent charge and red indicates low battery.

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Transcend 2GB SD Card

I recently purchased the Polaroid i1035 point and shoot camera. At the time I purchased this camera, I also opted to buy expanded memory. After asking the salesperson at Tiger Direct which memory card he recommended for this particular camera, I was shown the Transcend 2 GB SD Card. This particular memory card was on sale for five dollars, which was a competitive price.

The Transcend 2 GB SD Card has a housing made of hard plastic. The size and thickness of these memory cards makes them durable. Although they do not appear prone to bending, I would not recommend testing the durability with any type of rugged handling. The unit snaps into place in the battery compartment of my camera with ease. The shape is asymmetrical to prevent improper installation. Removing the SD Card is done by simply pushing down lightly on the top of the card and releasing. The card then ejects far enough to be easily removed by hand.

The Transcend 2 GB SD Card can be used with several types of media. The Secure Digital format was developed for use with cameras, mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 Players, notebook computers and tower computers. My camera comes with a picture bridge, which allows me to download directly from the camera to my computer. If you own a desktop that supports SD Card media (some are equipped to handle several types of memory stick devices), you can simply remove the drive from one device and insert it in the other to move media.

The standards for the Transcend 2 GB SD Card vary, but to be considered a SD Card, they are generally less than 4 GB. After 4 GB, the device is considered to be an SDHC Card (Secure Digital High Capacity). Because of compatibility issues, SDHC devices are not compatible with older devices. This is not an issue with the Transcend 2 GB SD Card. However, there may still be some compatibility issues based on an issue pertaining to block length in the identification string on the cards. This issue is beyond my personal expertise…so my advice would be to ask an associate if you are looking for a card like this for use in an older device.


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Polaroid i1035 Camera

In reviewing the Polaroid i1035 camera, I would point out that my rating is based on the value within the context of the type of camera being reviewed. For photography buffs, this camera costs less than some accessories for high end cameras. The Polaroid i1035 is a point and shoot camera designed for personal use by novice picture takers. This review examines the value of the Polaroid i1035 in comparison with similarly designed point-and-shoot cameras.

When I reviewed the Polaroid i531 in December 2007, I found the value to be exceptional for at the price point. To draw a comparison, the i531 is a 5.0 Megapixel camera. For the same money that I paid for that model just over a year ago, I purchased the Polaroid i1035 at Tiger Direct recently. Actually, it was ten dollars cheaper. The models are similar in many ways, but the i1035 is a 10.0 Megapixel model. I point this out to indicate that purchasing a slightly out-of-date technology can produce tremendous savings. The 5.0 Megapixel cameras at Tiger Direct were priced around $59 and would offer an excellent option at a reasonable price. Finding a point-and-shoot camera that you are comfortable with is probably more important than the individual specs.

The digital cameras at Tiger Direct seem to be cheaper than many of the competitors that I have checked. While in the market for this camera, I found the Tiger Direct prices to be consistently lower. Using the Tiger Direct pricing as a guideline, I found the available point-and-shoot cameras in a price range beginning around forty dollars and running into the three hundred dollar range. For forty dollars, you can purchase a Vuescape 5.0 Megapixel camera. Not a bad entry level price, but the zoom is purely digital at 4X digital zoom. The zoom quality would certainly distort the photo quality at 5.0 Megapixel resolution. This camera has a small, two inch viewing window. At the high end, three hundred dollars will purchase an Olympus Stylus with 12 Megapixel resolution. This camera has an impressive 10X optical zoom alongside a 5X digital zoom. The zoom capacity of this camera make it an excellent option if you need to get close in on the action. But there is a price to pay for that option.

The Polaroid i1035 has a decent 10.0 Megapixel resolution. That is slightly less than the three hundred dollar model, but not shabby in the least. The zoom capability runs 3X optical along with 4X digital. Not quite as powerful, but far less expensive. The 32 MB Flash Memory is slightly less than the 45 MB available in the three hundred dollar model. The expandable memory makes that issue unimportant. I purchased a 2 GB memory card for five dollars to expand the memory beyond my personal needs. The three hundred dollar model has stabilization that is probably superior to the stabilization available in the i1035 model. Of course, the expensive model has cool features like panoramic view…things I am unlikely to take advantage of. So, I consider the added expense to be wasted money.

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HP Laserjet 2420

I have used the Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2420 Printer for over a year for work related printing. This monochrome printer is capable of printing 30 pages per minute, which has been an adequate printing rate for my needs. This printer produces a resolution of 1200 x 1200 dots per inch.

The Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2420 Printer runs just over two hundred dollars, making it a competitively priced product. There are printers that have scanning and fax capabilities in this price range, but many of those products offer little in the way of print quality or speed. Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2420 Printer provides printing capability that seems more “heavy duty” to me than less expensive printers that I have owned for light home use. This printer is capable of printing 75,000 pages per month, which far exceeds my printing requirements.

My experience with the Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2420 Printer has not always been good. I have run into a number of conflicts with this printer that indicates room for improvement. I have had problems printing documents in a particular format that will print effortlessly when opened with a different program. I am not certain if this is more of an IT problem than a printer issue, but it is disconcerting at best. This printer often seems temperamental, printing when it feels like it. There is nothing more aggravating than waiting for a document that fails to print. The processing time for this printer is supposed to be ten seconds, which is about right when it decides to print.

The Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2420 Printer contains a window on the top along with scrolling keys to troubleshoot the machine. This menu is anything but user friendly. I normally call IT when I have problems printing because of the lack of simplicity in the design of this printer. It just doesn’t need to be this difficult.

The Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2420 Printer contains a paper tray at the bottom that holds about half a ream of paper. The front of the unit folds out to allow manual paper feed as well. This option includes a sliding margin for envelopes or other thinner printing stock. I have not experienced any problems with paper feeds or jamming. The mechanical aspects of this printer appear to be sound. The printer is capable of printing up to legal size documents. Supported media types include Bond Paper, Cards, Envelopes, Labels, Plain Paper, Recycled Paper, Transparencies, Prepunched Paper, Color Paper and Rough Paper.

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Samsung 50 Inch Plasma Television

I currently own three LCD flat screen televisions. I own a 26 inch RCA and 32 inch Vizio and Emerson televisions. Moving into a new home last year, I found that the 32 inch televisions were disproportionate in a large family room with ten foot ceilings. The size was okay for apartment living, but I knew I would eventually have to break down and buy a larger television. I have been happy with the LCD’s, which generally use less energy than Plasma televisions and have historically been more resistant to image burn in. There are advantages and disadvantages to both LCD and Plasma. LCD tends to be more expensive but has a better repair history. Plasma tends to provide fluid high definition for sporting events, reduces glare and is less expensive. Plasma also consumes more energy and has a history of technical issues. Then there is always DLP, which are basically Projection televisions which have mirrors and are usually quite a bit thicker than the other two options. My research focused primarily on LCD and Plasma.

While researching my purchase I spoke to “experts” at any number of big box stores. One would tell me that the burn issues with plasma televisions have been resolved and the next would say “Go LCD…they have less burn in problems and last longer.” I spoke with a guy at HH Gregg who seemed to know what he was talking about. He advised me that you can expect around 10,000 hours of use from either Plasma or LCD. He also indicated that most of burn issues with Plasma televisions have been addressed and that I should not have any problems. Internet research resulted in the same mixed results. I was still leaning towards an LCD even though they are slightly more expensive. Tigerdirect.com had one advertised for just over $1,000 for Black Friday, which I intended to purchase after getting off work that day. When I arrived they were already sold out. I had been looking at some Plasma televisions as well and ended up in Wal-Mart where the Samsung PN50A400 was on sale for eight hundred dollars. I decided it was time to pull the trigger on my purchase and arrived at the house with my new television on Black Friday.

Setting up the television was fairly easy but required two people. The Samsung PN50A400 may be thinner than traditional televisions but it is still large and cumbersome as well as being heavy for one person to manage. The base was already attached to the unit when I removed it from the box. The box had a break away design that allowed me to remove the box from around the television. It was a nice feature but a potential problem if the unit needs to be returned to the store. Connecting the cable television was simple…plugging the television in was simple as well…that part only took me a minute. I could have begun watching television at that point, but needed to hook up some peripheral devices. That is where I ran into a bit more difficulty. Because my devices are older, my connections are also older. There are ways to adapt, but it requires some trial and error. My DVD player had the RGB (red, green, blue…known as Y,PB,PR) cable connection, so I was able to connect the DVD with those cable and an old RWY (red, white, yellow) cable for the audio, leaving one of the plugs unconnected. I still haven’t figured out what to do with my ancient VCR with it’s RWY connectors, but I believe I can connect the red and white normally and the yellow into the green input along with an antennae cable. I haven’t messed around with it yet, but the manual looks like this will work.

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Air Hogs - Stinger

I purchased the Air Hogs Battling Laser Havoc Helis for my son last year. I could only get one of them to work, which meant that we were never actually able to battle with them. I rated that product based on what it was supposed to do and what it delivered, giving it two stars due to the fact that the one that worked was fun, but they didn’t do what they were designed to do.

My son’s birthday just passed a couple of weeks ago. His friend bought him an Air Hogs Havoc Stinger which looked much like the ones he had last Christmas. Based on my prior experience, I probably would not have purchased this item again. However, I am glad he received this as a gift, because it is great fun. By eliminating the battle part of the equation, we were able to focus more on the issue at hand…commanding a flying vehicle.

One of the issues with his blue havoc heli was that I was never able to get it trimmed properly. The trimming process allows you to adjust the rotors on the helicopter using the remote control in order to prevent the helicopter from spiraling around on it’s axis or from continually leaning to the left or right. A properly trimmed helicopter will hover or move forward, turning only when the levers on the remote are used to create the turn. Trimming out the Stinger was exceptionally easy, making me wonder if they fixed something since last year.

The helicopter looks much the same, although it seems a tad bit lighter and the rear tail assembly appears to have been changed. The helicopter comes with spare rotors in case crash landings create a problem. They also come with foil appliqués that provide a bit of interesting contrast as well as counter-weighting as necessary. After trimming this helicopter, it was not necessary to apply any of the foil pieces. The remote control is intuitive, with a forward/back elevation control and a side to side directional control. The bottom of the aircraft has an on/off switch which has a small letter next to it identifying the proper flying channel. The corresponding channel switch is located on the remote control.

The remote control requires six AA Batteries. The helicopter charges by attaching a wire from the remote control to the underbelly of the aircraft. My son’s helicopter was not charging properly. It appeared initially that the product was defective. However, I was using Kirkland brand batteries that had been in storage for quite a while. I decided to try replacing the batteries in case there was not enough juice in the ones I had. This worked like a charm. Weak batteries apparently will simply not charge the heli regardless of how long you leave it connected. With a proper charge, the heli will provide several minutes of continuous flight.


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Microsoft Zune

Several months ago, I signed up at club.live.com. Club Live is an on-line search club that has interesting brain games that offer tickets as points for winning games. I like the crossword puzzles, which give 25 tickets per win. 800 games later, I had accumulated 20,000 tickets. I was actually playing for an X-Box 360 which was 35,000 tickets, but they sold out. So, I cashed out for a Microsoft Zune. It arrived in the mail yesterday.

My son and I eagerly opened the box to see what was inside. The packaging is interesting, if not confusing. there is a box that slides into a box cover. When the inner box is removed, there is a storage compartment that opens from the top, where the disc and flimsy manuals are stored. The other side of the box opens to reveal the Zune in the middle, with a smaller compartment to either side of the Zune, one containing ear phones, the other a USB cable for transferring data and charging the Zune.

I removed the disc and placed it into the D: drive and waited for the software to load. I proceeded to read the instructions, only to find that you get two pamphlets...the first is a quick-start guide that basically walks you through set-up using drawings and simple instructions. The other pamphlet talks about the battery, protecting your ears and the one year warranty that comes with the Zune. There were no instructions for actually transferring music from your PC to the Zune. However, there WAS a telephone number for Customer Support, appropriately, 1-800-GET-ZUNE.

I read bruguru's article on the Zune, and he obviously understands about ripping CD's, and must understand how to transfer these files without looking. I guess I could have asked him, too! I have never used this type of equipment or software (please don't use the word dinosaur), so I resorted to calling customer service. They must get a lot of idiot's like me on the phone because the lady at customer service was extremely pleasant. I am so used to number trees and rude customer service reps, that I have to say she really surprised me. She patiently walked me through the (in hindsight, ridiculously easy) steps for moving the files into the Zune directories, and then Syncing the device, so that the directories load onto the Zune. She also took the time to register my Zune for warranty purposes. I should also note that the Zune software sort of explains how to upload songs to your Zune, but if you haven't done it before, or don't understand how to sync, will seem like Greek. I don't have a Palm Pilot or any other device, so this was a learning experience for me. AND, it wasn't that hard. Customer Service for Microsoft Zune scores large.

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