Jonzee.com

Jawbone’s second try, whats new ?

Posted by David Jones | Filed under Jonzee

Ive done a review of a bluetooth headset that I truly love a while ago. I’m actually still using my Jawbone headset, even though I’m on my last little earloop (I need to order more). I just happen to check the site today and noticed that there is a newer version of the Jawbone headset. Whats new? Well what could they improve on? the design? how it fits on your ear? yes both of those. Did they improve? I don’t know. They have changed those items, but as far as how well those changes fare, I would have to get one in my hands to find out.

Looking at the picture, I do like the design a little better, I never really had a problem with the design of the old one, but it could stand to be a little smaller, which it looks like the new version has done. My biggest complaint about the headset is how it sit on your ear. it seems like there was just no good way to make it fit on my head. After carefully bending the earloop, I did get a way that work. They have changed the earloop also. The loop itself still looks like it will be a pain, but they did something else that may make it better. The actual ear cushion looks to be modeled differently. looks like it should sit in you ear like a in ear earbud (for your iPod).

I may just buy the new Jawbone instead of buying new earloops for my current one. (demo video below)

Technorati Tags: bluetooth, cell phone, Jawbone, jawbone headset, New jawbone

Tags: bluetooth, cell phone, Jawbone, jawbone headset, New jawbone

Creative’s Vado pocket video recorder can make you a Youtube director with ease.

Posted by David Jones | Filed under Digital Camera, Media, USB Devices, devices

When I was younger, I never thought I would be able to go out and buy a video recorder for less than $100 bucks. Creative makes that thought a reality with its Vado pocket video recorder. At $99 bucks, you can get this pretty slick little video recorder that looks to be pretty easy to use. The Vado recorder has 2 hours and 10 minutes of battery life, which is a good thing because it can only record 2 hours of video with its 2 gigs of internal storage. 2 hours is more than enough to create your Youtube masterpiece. and to help you out even more, the Vado has built in software to help you upload your video to Youtube. With a retractable USB connector, transferring your recorded video should be pretty easy. everything just seem easy. The Vado recorder has a 2 inch LCD screen and is capable of recording video at 640×480. Its getting harder to make a choice when it comes to these mini video recorders. Creative’s entry looks to be one to watch.

Technorati Tags: Creative, Pocket video recorder, Vado, youtube

Tags: Creative, Pocket video recorder, Vado, youtube

Vtech’s IS6110 melds a landline phone with VOIP and instant messaging.

Posted by David Jones | Filed under Phones, USB Devices, devices

It may look like something from Palm’s cutting room floor, but the features of this hybrid house phone may be perfect for you text addicts. The qwerty keyboard of Vtech IS6110  is what caught my eye initially when browsing my local Best Buy. At its core, its just a regular cordless phone, but plug the base station into your PC (via USB) and you have a choice of making regular landline or VOIP calls. There’s a good reason for the qwerty keyboard. Support for several instant messaging services, such as AIM and MSN messenger is included. Yep, you can  IM all the people you met on Craigslist personals  and call your mother with the same gadget.

I wish WiFi was supported, but it isn’t and you have to keep a PC running if you want to use the internet related features. The cordless (landline) phone features include most of the usual’s: speaker phone, caller ID, 50 entry phone book storage and selectable ringtones. This phone is from Vtech’s DECT 6 line, which should mean better sound quality. Don’t know about that, but who cares about sound quality when your texting your buds…Actually I do. The Vtech IS6110 is available now, retailing for $99 bucks.

Technorati Tags: aol, Cordless phone, IM, Instant messaging, IS6110, landline, MSN, Phone, qwerty, Text messaging, USB, Vtech

Tags: aol, Cordless phone, IM, Instant messaging, IS6110, landline, MSN, Phone, qwerty, Text messaging, USB, Vtech

Mediagate’s feature rich MG-450HD networked media player looks promising.

Posted by David Jones | Filed under Home theatre, Media, Wi-Fi

There is a lot of competition brewing in the stand alone networked media player market. My favorite so far is the Popcorn Hour networked media tank. Today however, I’m looking at Mediagate’s MG-450HD. Talk about features, This player can stream media from networked PCs wired or wirelessly (802.11g/b). It can play media from any capacity 3.5" HDD you install in the MG-450HD and any additional storage you connect through a sole USB port. You can set it up as a FTP server, you can listen to internet radio stations. There’s component, HDMI, 5.1 audio, HD output up to 1080p… Seems like this thing does it all, actually a little more than the Popcorn player.

What about the media? Just like the Popcorn Hour player, it plays almost every file format you can think of (yes Xvid, no MKV). Rip your DVDs, it’ll play them also. Music? no problem the MG-450HD got it covered. Photo’s? Yep that too. Yea, I know there are a few very enticing features of the Popcorn Hour player that the Mediagate’s offering is lacking, like the built in Bittorrent client and the ability to stream from internet video sites (Hulu.com anyone?). Weighing in at about $229 (check monoprice), the MG-450HD is a little more than the Popcorn Hour player but some of the added features may justify the extra cost.

Technorati Tags: HD, HD streaming, HDMI, Media, Media Player, Mediagate, MG-450HD, Networked Media player, Popcorn hour, Video

Tags: HD, HD streaming, HDMI, Media, Media Player, Mediagate, MG-450HD, Networked Media player, Popcorn hour, Video

ATI/AMD is back in the game with the Radeon HD4850 and HD4870 video cards

Posted by David Jones | Filed under Computers, Gaming, Tech jargon

I was just talking about how I forgot that not that long ago AMD was performance king. Along with that thought, it wasnt too long ago when ATI made the best video cards. Since then, Nvidia came out with some really good cards and took over that title. Nvidia has been tops for so long that I forgot all about ATI. Wasnt even keeping up with them anymore, mainly cause I thought it was over for them. This morning, if you hadnt already noticed, there has been tons of reviews and benchmarks of ATI’s new Radeon HD 4870 and I have to tell you…

ATI IS BACK!!!

Dont get me wrong, thier new cards arent tops, but they are right up there with the big boys, even beating out Nvidia’s $600+ dollar GTX 280 on some benchmarks. that is saying a lot, especially since this new card from ATI (or should I be saying AMD) is about $300 bucks cheaper. When you look at price vrs performance, ATI’s 48XX series of cards looks to be the video card to get.

Right now, in the 48XX series, you have the HD 4850 (available now) which sells or $199, and the soon to be released HD 4870 for $299. As far as specs, heres a snippit I got from Anandtech.

Now that you know what you are working with, here is a quick little benchmark chart (one of many) also from Anandtech. (click here for the full Anandtech review)

Technorati Tags: AMD, ATI, HD 4850, HD 4870, Radeon, video card

Tags: AMD, ATI, HD 4850, HD 4870, Radeon, video card

Would you wear a USB necktie?

Posted by David Jones | Filed under USB Devices

Its summertime here in the US and I have just the item that could make your day at work a tad cooler. Its a little wacky and I doubt anyone would really use it but the USB Necktie from Thanko has to be one of the geekiest things Ive seen in a while. What does a USB necktie do? Well if you check out the website where I saw it listed, it would be pretty hard to tell. There’s really no description, just pictures and a price ($43.59). But the handy email (spam) that I received alerting me to this product explains that there is a little fan built into the tie that is powered by the USB port on your PC

The Fan is actually kindof hidden, so at first glance, it would just look like a regular ole tie. Take a look at the picture below and you’ll see how you lower the knot to reveal the tie. If you have to take a walk around your workplace, or where ever you decide to wear this tie, never fear, there is a optional battery back that fits neatly in your shirt pocket that will power the fan. Puts a new meaning to "buzzing around the office".

 

Thanko’s USB Necktie at Geekstuff4u.com

Technorati Tags: Fan, Geekstuff4u, keep cool, Necktie, Thanko, USB

Tags: Fan, Geekstuff4u, keep cool, Necktie, Thanko, USB

Give your gas grilled food a wood grilled taste with Sams Smoker Pro

Posted by David Jones | Filed under Food

I like to dabble in grill cooking. My recent love for grill cooking started about 5 years ago and there are a few things Ive gotten pretty good at cooking on the grill. One thing I really like is the flavor of cooking on a grill. I really hate cooking on a charcoal grill though. Many grilling specialist think the only way to grill is with charcoal. To be honest, I like the flavor of food cooked over wood moreso than charcoal. Another thing I like is the convenience of a gas grill. Being that many times Im just cooking a steak or a piece of fish for 1 (just me), I like being able to just turn the grill on and off without the hassle of having to light charcoal and getting rid of it when Im done.

The Sams Smoker Pro seems like a product right up my alley. The Smoker Pro is basically a metal box that you sit over the flames on your gas grill but under the cooking grate. You put your favorite wood chips in the Smoker Pro and the flames underneath heats the wood and allow it to start smoking and flavor your food. That way you can get that wood grilled flavor on your gas grill.

Ive tried several smoker boxes before, and they have worked pretty well for me. The problem is most boxes you find in your local Walmart or Bass Pro Shop has a rectangular shape. That means that you have to rely on the smoke filling the grill when the lid is closed to flavor your food. The Smoker Pro is made so that it evenly distributes the smoke underneath the food, not just in a corner.  It has a more spread out square shape. When placed under your cooking grate, it covers more area and the smoke rises to the food.

I haven’t tried the Smoker Pro for myself, but I think I will buy one to see if it works as well as I think it would (in theory).

You can get the Smoker Pro for $49 bucks here, Or you can go to Amazon.com

Technorati Tags: Gas, Gas grill, Grill, Grilling, Sams Smoker Pro, Smoker, Wood

Tags: Gas, Gas grill, Grill, Grilling, Sams Smoker Pro, Smoker, Wood

Top 5 (bittorrent friendly) media players you might not have heard of.

Posted by David Jones | Filed under Home theatre, Media, USB Devices

Ive always been a big fan of media players. When I say media player, I’m talking about a device that will allow you to play video files you have obtained on your PC on your own on your television. Usually media you have stored on your PC, ripped DVD’s, web videos, home videos etc. Music is also included in my description. Ive tried out a few of these types of players and some I have only read about but here are a few of my favorites.

5. Media gate Media share (monoprice 2.5 inch HDD media player enclosure)

The first on my list is a player Ive talked about and owned before. Its the monoprice.com 2.5 inch USB harddrive based media player (enclosure). This player is a good idea for someone that want good functionality, and portability. Its basically a Hard drive enclosure for a 2.5 inch drive (laptop drive). On the enclosure, there is the typical USB port and a couple video outputs. It also comes with a remote. You have to provide your own HDD but once you get it set up, you can transfer all of your videos, Music, and pictures to the drive and then connect it to your TV for viewing or listening.

What I like about the player is the format support, It will play everything from Mpeg to Xvid. It also outputs in several HD resolutions (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i). The interface is pretty basic, but functional. I have owned this device for over a year and absolutely love it.

Like I said, I have talked about this device before and the full review can be found here.

You can pick up this device for just under $75 bucks at monoprice.com

Read the rest after the Jump

(more…)

Technorati Tags: DIVX, Harddrive based media players, HD, Media players, Monoprice.com, Mvix, Netgear, Popcorn hour, Xbox, Xvid

Tags: DIVX, Harddrive based media players, HD, Media players, Monoprice.com, Mvix, Netgear, Popcorn hour, Xbox, Xvid

People, a Bluray Version of the 360 is definitely coming.

Posted by David Jones | Filed under Gaming

I know, I know, there has been a lot of rumors in the past months that the Xbox 360 will be getting Bluray. For every rumor, a head honcho from Microsoft comes along and debunks it. But if you haven’t figured it out for yourself by now, There is definitely a Bluray enabled Xbox 360 coming.

First I’m going to tell you why I think so.

First the US president of Sony electronics said that they were in talks with Microsoft about an Xbox 360 bluray drive. Later debunked, but it was said, and for good reason (I’ll get to that later). Second there was the rumor that Lite-On got the contract to make the bluray drive for MS. Then you look at the recent updates to the Xbox drm, making it easier to transfer drm’d downloads from one 360 to another…in case you get a new one.

There were other rumors, but those above is enough to tell me that there is one coming. Why would the Sony President of US Electronics say they are in talks with MS if they weren’t? Its not a mistake, they most likely were in talks and didn’t want those talks to get out. And news of Lite-on getting the contract to build bluray drives is pretty normal for a company to announce when those things happen. MS just didn’t want to let it out of the bag just yet.

The DRM issue is one that needed to be fixed, and foreseeing a new 360 release that includes a Bluray drive that MS expects many to buy as a replacement would certainly warrant getting that fix out the door as soon as possible.

So why all the denials, when the cat has for the most part been let out of the bag?

Its simple, They cant announce it until its ready to go out the door. If they come along now and announce a Bluray enabled Xbox 360 to be released in the holiday season. People will wait and they would have extremely low unit sales for several months. With the competition MS has with Sony, they cannot afford to give 3-5 months away like that by announcing prematurely.

Things that people need to keep in mind (Ive read some variation of these complaints/disputes all over the web)

• The 360’s bluray drive will only be used for movies. Not games. Games will still be DVD9
• Sony is not the sole owner of Bluray, Bluray is owned by a committee of several companies. Even MS has a stake in it as long as movies are using the VC1 codec (which belongs to MS and is used in almost every movie currently).
• Bluray Drives CAN also read DVD9. The read speed of the drive reading DVD9 is different from the read speed of the drive reading Bluray disc (Bluray disc are read slower than DVD9)

 

Technorati Tags: Bluray, microsoft, rumor, xbox 360

Tags: Bluray, microsoft, rumor, xbox 360

Create your own HDTV station with ZeeVee

Posted by David Jones | Filed under Home theatre, Media, devices

This is something I heard about a week or so ago on the HTGuys podcast. Finally got around to checking it out and I have to say it is pretty cool. ZeeVee is a new device that allows you to stream your PC to your HDTV in a very unique way.

Get this.

You connect your PC to the ZeeVee box via your audio and monitor output. Set it up how you want it. You can have Hulu.com on the screen, a DVD, video file or just about anything. The ZeeVee box then transmit the video and audio in HD over the air. That output becomes a TV station just like any other digital HDTV station you are able to pick up with your TV’s tuner. You then go to your television and turn to the specified station and your PC’s output will display on your TV.

Sounds cool doesn’t it?

More coolness about the product, it comes with a remote that then allows you to control what you are doing on the screen. You don’t even have to be at your PC. The ZeeVee unit has about a 150 foot range and can be viewed on as many TV’s that is within that range. So you could have every TV in your house viewing the same content with just one ZeeVee unit.

It sound pretty interesting and I was ready to click buy but then I saw the price. $499 is way too much (for me). I expecting about $150-$200, and that is where it would have to be before I would make that purchase. But still, the idea is cool and I’ll be keeping an eye out for a price drop.

Its actually not for sale yet, but you can preorder it over at Amazon

Technorati Tags: HDTV, HT Guys, ZeeVee

Tags: HDTV, HT Guys, ZeeVee