Not submerged, but any water is bad enough

Although the phone was not completely submerged, enough water had gotten into the handset to cause damage. The screen was dark and the camera lens was fogged along with half of the screen. An Apple Genius wouldn’t need to check the water damage sensors to come to a conclusion – water damage + voided warranty.

Later that day, the Apple Genius Bar rep informed me that I could purchase a refurbished handset for $199. Tempting. But so was the Google Nexus One announced the very same day. Call it coincidence, fate, or maybe a test… I recalled reading success stories of water damaged electronics. I walked out of the store 10 minutes later with plans to bring my out of warranty iPhone back to life.

BHEESTIE Bag brings my iPhone back to life

Bummed, I started spreading the word to contacts via email that I would be unreachable via phone. Within minutes I received a link to the BHEESTIE Bag. A few minutes later, I found this review by CNET who willingly tossed a working MP3 player into a fountain for testing. I was sold and immediately went out to purchase a bag.

Our company started because of a need – we were tired of replacing many a wet cellphone, iPod®, camera, etc. Now we bring this innovation to you.

BHEESTIE Bag® is the original product used to remove moisture from personal electronics. Our company’s goal is to bring you a product to help maintain & maybe even revive your wet cellphone, iPod®, camera, etc. Which saves you money and decreases wasteful dumping of electronics.

So did BHEESTIE work? Yes. 24 hours later my iPhone is back in my pocket. The little fish food looking pellets did their work absorbing moisture. The fogged camera lens and screens are completely dry and the phone hasn’t shut off without warning. Unfortunately, the water sensors are triggered and the phone is now out of warranty but the phone is fully functional saving me from having to spend $200 for a refurbished iPhone.

I learned my lesson from this whole ordeal. Waterproof ski pants are not completely waterproof if water can get through zippers and the iPhone is going in a Ziploc. Have you had any accidents involving your favorite electronics with any types of liquid? Were you able to salvage / save the electronic or lose it completely?

1. Sonos System – Capable of streaming a personal library plus a handful of internet services like Pandora without a computer. Purchase the core hardware, connect speakers, and start listening. Downside? Cost.
2. Airport Express – Significantly lower cost in comparison. Plugin, connect speakers, start iTunes, grab iPhone or iPod Touch (wireless controller), and start listening. Downside? Computer with iTunes installed.

The ideal home music network?

• Easy to setup – No one wants to spend time reading instructions on how to get setup. It’s not rocket science.
• Cost effectiveness – The idea of being able to walk from room to room and playing the role of DJ Home shouldn’t break the bank.
• Connectivity – Wired or wireless. The idea is to send music to speakers wherever they might be.
• Compatibility – Personal library and / or free and subscription based internet streaming services?
• Flexibility – Music doesn’t need to be permanently stored on a single computer. Access any computers or external storage devices on a network.
• Always on – Music should stream instantly without waiting for a computer to wake from sleep or boot-up.

I yearned for a simple piece of hardware which would meet all of the above criteria. I was already familiar with Slim Devices SqueezeBox but had no idea of the updated product line and discovered the Duet.

Meet the Logitech SqueezeBox Duet

Logitech acquired Slim Devices back in October 2006. Since then, the SqueezeBox series has seen new additions including the release of the SqueezeBox Duet.

SqueezeBox Receiver – Wired or wireless network connection. Audio output options include analog or digital out. Once connected to the internet, the receiver talks to your [free] SqueezeNetwork account grabbing account info and service logins. For personal music playback, the receiver checks your local network for SqueezeCenter – the downloadable client which runs in the background on your computer. (Full Specs)

SqueezeBox Controller – 2.4" LCD with a iPod-esque scroll wheel to navigate and control. 802.11g wireless support means complete control from a different room. Like the Logitech Harmony remotes family, the display shuts off after a specified interval and turns on whenever the remote is picked up.

Together, the two work in perfect harmony providing you with complete access to your personal or online music libraries.

Bring the internet, speakers, and more storage

Setting up the SqueezeBox Duet to send audio to my Samsung speaker bar required very little work. And thanks to its discrete size and appearance, the receiver disappeared quite easily into the TV stand.

Within 10-15 minutes, I had the receiver and controller unpacked, plugged in, connected to the wireless network, communicating with my SqueeezNetwork account, and streaming a station from my Pandora account. Beyond the initial language settings, wireless network configuration, and account setup for streaming services, the SqueezeBox Duet is music when you want it within seconds of powering waking up the receiver.

The beauty of this little gem shines even more so when configuring multiple rooms in a household for music playback. Assuming separate speakers in each room, the only additional networking hardware required is the receiver. Once added to the network, your controller will add the device to your SqueezeNetwork for management.

The ability to access my entire music library (and then some) without a computer is an awesome feeling. I am already making plans to offload all of my non-DRM files to a network storage device (NAS) for access through the Duet. Now to find a good NAS… Ideas?

Music playback is limited to non-DRM protected tracks with support for MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, MP2, MusePack, WMA, and Lossless (Apple, FLAC, WMA).

SqueezeBox Duet issues

1. Clunky web interface for managing your different service accounts and devices. During setup, I was never sure if account info was saved properly or accepted.
2. No unified music library. Listening services like Pandora or Last.fm require that the Duet connect with your SqueezeNetwork account. In order to listen to your local network libraries, you will need to disconnect from SqueezeNetwork and connect to your installed SqueezeCenters.
3. Occasional slow startup time for the controller. I noticed that that using the iPeng iPhone app does not experience the same sluggish start.

Supported internet services

The SqueezeBox Duet supports the following services out of the box: Classical.com, Last.fm, Live365, Mediafly, MP3tunes, Napster, Pandora, RadioIO, RadioTime, Rhapsody, Sirius, and Slacker.

Music entertainment is new again

In short, music is now a constant source of entertainment at home. Rather than turning on the television I turn on the sound bar and relax with the controller in hand.

For those who carry their iPhones around the house regularly, you may want to check out the iPeng (App Store). iPeng provides every feature provided by the SqueezeBox Controller. Note that if you are sitting at a computer, you can control the Duet through your SqueezeNetwork account in your web browser.

For those who do not own a stereo system, the SqueezeBox Boom may be a good option. Are you running a music network at home?

Case in point, Belkin’s latest Mini Surge / USB Charger ($20-$25) which provides protection for three AC and two USB powered devices.

The compact surge protector / charger is small and lightweight allowing it to fit nicely inside any of your bags. Because some wall outlets are not conveniently accessible to accommodate such a surge protector with multiple adapters of varying sizes connected, the device can pivot 360 degrees at 90 degree increments.

At home, I rely on a few PowerSquid surge protectors spread throughout the apartment for power. With the Belkin Mini Surge / USB Charger, I can extend the same safety at home to the corner coffee shop, hotel, or any other venue where I might need some extra juice. Are you regularly protecting your electronic devices with a surge protector?

PROS: A small footprint keeps this surge protector one of the lightest and smallest multi-adapter / device unit on the market. 3 AC & 2 USB ports means I can charge up to two laptops, a camera charger, and two cellphones at the same time safely. $75,000 warranty / protection from Belkin in the event of damage while using the adapter.

CONS: AC ports are not designed for wide [horizontal] plugs. Button lock for rotating plug can be difficult to press (unlock). Multiple heavy adapters will pull this mini surge protector off the wall.

While I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of GPS aided driving thus far, I have been a little disappointed by the fact that I am not able to download travel information & data – ideal for long road trips [from devices like the Garmin]. Fortunately, Rob from LandAirSea got in touch and provided the LAS Tracking Key.

The overall appearance of the device is minimalistic; an unmarked oversized USB thumbdrive with the words "This side up" etched on one side. The strong magnet on the opposite immediately adds to the mystery of the device. What is it? What does it do? What can I use it for? And, how well does it work?

The LandAirSea Tracking Key is not your average GPS receiver

Powered by the U-Blox RCB-4H Antaris 4 GPS board, AirLandSea’s Tracking Key is a low power consumption GPS receiver with SuperSense – ideal for scenarios with low satellite signal.

Building interiors, airports, shopping malls, train stations and other places with obstructed views to the sky are a key challenge for uninterrupted GPS signal reception and for accurate position calculations. Under these challenging conditions, the GPS receiver must be able to detect the weakest signals perceivable in places with no direct views to satellites.

Unlike your standard automobile / portable GPS device, the LandAirSea Tracking Key is not interactive – meaning that the device is just a receiver. On its own, it will not direct you through an alternative route – like a TomTom – and will not guide you when you are lost – like a Garmin. The Tracking Key is a GPS based tracking device.

Although the Tracking Key may not have a screen or buttons to press, its basic design does do one thing well – tracking. Using GPS / A-GPS (Assisted GPS) technology, ALS’s Tracking Key can pinpoint and amass a significant amount of data for later processing using applications like Google Earth.

Real world case scenario usage

With obvious applications for use in both the Military and Law Enforcement sectors, the Tracking Key may raise privacy concerns in the eyes of the average consumer. However, the Tracking Key has real world usefulness. Consider parents with children unfettered by repeated requests to return home before curfew (where are they really going?), managers who need accurate travel and mileage details for company vehicles, road trip warriors, or worrisome automobile owners who suspect their vehicle is being abused by a spouse, child, relative, or valet driver?

• Logs data, including speed, which can then be plotted out on virtual maps with software like Google Earth.
• Runs on 2 AAA batteries for up to 2 weeks of tracking (varies based on number of hours driven per day).
• Daily reports including overall driving activity, maximum speed, and miles driven.
• Fantastic device for use on long road trips or group outings. With rich Google Maps in Google Earth, you can use stored data to tag important locations or stops.
• Great for tracking where your child actually goes vs. where they said they were going.

Security and peace of mind knowing where your vehicle has been driven, how fast, and for how long with stop " go milestones.

LandAirSea Tracking Key is designed to track vehicles

The GPS Tracking Key is roughly the size of a big pack of Juicy Fruit gum. Shrouded in a veil of mystery, the plain black casing is marred only by engraved letters reading "This side up" and a strong magnet. After a brief perusal of the thin user guide, you immediately understand what the device was made for – discrete GPS tracking.

Because of its small size, discrete color, and rear facing magnet, the device can be stowed away in any number of locations ranging from the underside of a vehicle, within the front / rear bumper, rear trunk, front glove box, or underneath a driver / passenger seat. The included LandAirSea Tracing Key documentation explains the effectiveness of the device based on placement outside or within the vehicle.

Both the battery compartment – secured with four screws – and USB port receive protection from water & dirt with silicone seals. Two small LEDs inform the user of sufficient battery power & satellite activity.

Interacting with Tracking Key data results

The Tracking Key includes Windows-only software called Past Track which allows users to manage and interact with data collected by their GPS vehicle tracking receiver.

From within Past Track, users can view data using the included US Maps software:

Or, download Google Earth (free) and view imported data:

Both methods overlay vehicle activity atop your choice of mapping software. With the added benefit of creating interactive maps – placemarks & image overlays – with Google Earth, owners can re-create detailed maps using logged data.

LandAirSea Tracking Key – closing thoughts

The LandAirSea Tracking Key works extremely well as a GPS tracking device. Once placed within the vehicle, the Tracking Key was completely transparent tracking my vehicles every move. It was almost jaw dropping to see a 2 days of driving history quickly plotted out in Google Earth.

• Discrete and effective. Once placed inside the vehicle, you forget it is present and tracking. Great at creating detailed stop & go travel history.
• Laptop users will need to a) purchase a USB extension cable, or b) slide part of their computer off the edge of the table a little bit in order to plug the device in.
• Great battery life using 2 AAA batteries. Would a little better if the device was rechargeable via USB.
• Mac OS support is not yet available.

Privacy advocates should know that data logged by the LandAirSea Tracking Key is not transmitted externally and is available for your own personal use. The $299 LandAirSea automobile Tracking Key can be ordered direct from the manufacturer. What are your thoughts on personal GPS tracking devices for security, peace of mind, or leisure? [Digg this].

LandAirSea Tracking Key helps solve murder case

Thanks to Alan on the tip concerning the YouTube clip above exemplifying the usefulness of the LandAirSea GPS Tracking Key.

Wikipedia breaks down the science behind lasers:

A laser is an electronic-optical device that produces coherent radiation. The term "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A typical laser emits light in a narrow, low-divergence beam and with a well-defined wavelength (i.e., monochromatic) (corresponding to a particular color if the laser is operating in the visible spectrum). This is in contrast to a light source such as the incandescent light bulb, which emits into a large solid angle and over a wide spectrum of wavelength.

Laser = narrow beam of light. Laser color = dictated by the wavelength of said narrow beam of light. nm = nanometre which equals one billionth of a metre or one millionth of a millimetre.

No longer novelty keychain accessories; start getting serious

Back in college, I owned a small pen laser that I used for presentations, disorienting household pets, and for taping to the underside of a Nerf gun for cubicle warfare [to complete that Rambo bad-assness]. In all honesty, I never really believed that a laser pointer powered by two button cell batteries deserved to carry the name "laser". These button cell powered lasers are the closest thing – for consumers – to the real thing [hardcore lasers], right..? WRONG!

Wicked Lasers introduced me to Guinness Book of World Records caliber lasers. I immediately discovered what real handheld lasers were all about.

We’re a bunch of laser enthusiasts, maybe even laser maniacs, who – like you – have been searching all over looking for the highest powered, highest quality, affordable laser pointers. Those cheap laser key chains found at local electronics stores are a ridiculous joke at most. We found ourselves frustrated, very frustrated. The selection of laser pointers found on internet sites we visited were very run of the mill and cheaply made. Where is all the unique stuff? Where are all the true lasers that can burn, cut, and project a laser beam hundreds of miles away?

We finally realized that if we wanted lasers up to par with our standards, we simply needed to create it ourselves.

Hardcore lasers created by laser enthusiasts yearning for more – more power! This type of "if it’s not good enough, make it yourself" mentality can only mean good things right? I experimented with an unreleased model – The Elite – scheduled for public release on 11/21. Being my first serious handheld laser, expectations were high. The end results only re-confirmed my belief that keychain lasers are a) a joke, b) a novelty, and c) do not deserve to carry the name "laser".

Appropriately named, The Elite Wicked Laser

The Elite came packaged in a plastic sleeve, shrouded in bubble wrap, and encased with a faux maroon carbon fiber case. For a brief moment, I relived the days of entertaining myself with a cheap keychain laser from the Dollar Store. Sturdy and well constructed, The Elite was operated by a single button sitting flush with the outside of the case.

Although Wicked Lasers does offer handheld lasers capable of lighting a match, burning a hole through paper, emitting a focused beam of light for many miles, or scorching wood, I have yet to hold The Elite focused against any one fixed object long enough to confirm similar burn results. Paul S. received a a similar laser and conducted his own paper test confirming the power of these little handheld lasers.

The Elite is a green laser operating at the 532 nm wavelength. Unlike traditional red and blue lasers, green lasers are suitable for use while stargazing [because the light beam is easy to follow during low light conditions]. I put the laser to the test at Discovery Park and was amazed at the strength and brightness of the laser for pointing out objects in the distance. Despite the overcast night, the green laser pierced through the clouds like a highly focused spotlight.

Not your standard keychain pen pointer

Safety first! The Elite is capable of causing some serious retinal damage! Remember the warning to never point a laser pointer at another person? The same holds especially true for Wicked Lasers.

During testing in low light conditions at Discovery Park, I somehow inadvertently managed to hit a reflective sign over 500 yards out that reflected the laser back at me forcing me to close my eyes momentarily – despite wearing protective goggles.

What I’ve learned from handling a Wicked Lasers

Wicked Lasers, more specifically green lasers like The Elite, demand a certain level of responsibility from their owners.

Although anyone planning to purchase from Wicked Laser possesses a genuine interest in the science of lasers, there may be individuals who are simply interested in experiencing what a real handheld laser does. For the latter, Wicked Lasers offers a wide range of handheld lasers ranging from a slim 5mW CORE to the 200-300mW Spyder II GX.

Want a Wicked Lasers of your own? Save 10% at checkout with coupon code 531.

Motorola is trying their best to make a niche for themselves in the mobile entertainment arena with the ROKR (rocker get it?) line of cellphones & accessories.

Sprint / Motorola sent me Motorola’s latest, the MOTOROKR S9. Although I admit fascination for anything Bluetooth, the MOTOROKR S9’s behind the head wireless design was a bit of a turn-off. Regardless, I put the headphones to work with a Samsung Upstage, Apple iPhone, and Mac OS X.

Supports A2DP? Well that is just swell

The MOTOROKR S9’s performed as expected with the Samsung Upstage. Not surprising considering the handset supports the Stereo Bluetooth Profile A2DP. Sadly, audio quality was flat and distant. This would have be "acceptable" had the headphones been of the standard Bluetooth wireless hands-free headset variant, but they weren’t. They are supposed to play two roles: 1) Bluetooth stereo headphones and 2) wireless hands-free headset.

Audio quality aside, controlling phone calls or audio playback is done with controls conveniently placed on the headphones above both ears. Phone controls – answer / end & volume – above the left ear, audio controls – play / pause & skip-forward / back – above the right ear. Answering / ending a call, or playing / pausing audio is done so by buttons with a resounding click. Increasing / decreasing volume, or skipping forward / back is much subtler with touch sensitive controls.

Functional handsfree headset for non-A2DP supported devices

Excited with the prospect of being able to enjoy wire-free stereo sound with my iPhone (as I did with the Samsung Upstage), I was sadly disappointed and reminded of the fact that Apple neglected to support the A2DP Bluetooth profile. Why Apple why? Was it to conserve battery life? Is it a "feature" for a future iPhone release?

A2DP stereo Bluetooth sound or not, the MOTOROKR S9’s functioned like any other basic Bluetooth headset. Strangely, the S9’s – when paired as a standard handsfree headset – only output sound through one ear bud. Whether or not this is normal for Bluetooth headphones during normal voice calls is beyond me (drop your comments below of your A2DP stereo headphones output sound through both ear buds during a voice call).

During voice calls, audio quality for anyone on the opposite end of the call reported somewhat muffled sound and complained of excessive background noise. Not at all surprising considering the microphone is integrated into the left ear bud.

Similar feedback was reported while using the S9’s for VOIP calling via iChat audio / video & Skype. For anyone interested in getting the Stereo Bluetooth profile A2DP to work with Mac OS X Tiger, check out this helpful article by David C.

Likes

• USB charger – charge the headphones from your computers USB port(s).
• Fairly lightweight and unobtrusive if your head fits.
• Convenient phone and stereo function (controls) separation – communication on the left-side, stereo on the right-side.
• Increase / decrease volume & fast foward / skip controls are nearly touch sensitive.

Dis-likes

• Uncomfortable. I found the MOTOROKR S9’s too narrow, larger heads will definitely feel the squeeze. On top of the firm plastic frame, the included earbuds are also uncomfortable and difficult to position for thorough sound output.
• Unattractive. This probably goes for any wireless behind-the-head headphones. My co-worker asked if I was from the future immediately after putting them on.
• Terrible pairing / setup process. As cool and "convenient" as it may seem to be to limit functions to a single button, it doesn’t hurt to have a single pin-hole button dedicated to pairing.

On a related note, Apple iPhone users should check out Ultimate Buds. The third-party service mates the popular Etymotic ER6i earphones with Apple’s own. Ultimate Buds sells the conversion outright, or conducts the operation on your own Etymotic & Apple earphones [that you supply]. Look for feedback regarding the conversion when my "Ultimate Buds" arrive.

Want these MOTOROKR S9’s?

Want to score a free MOTOROKR S9? Use the comments below to convince me why you need the wireless A2DP Stereo Profile Bluetooth headphones. One lucky reader will receive the MOTOROKR S9 headphones free of charge – I’ll cover shipping via UPS anywhere in the continental US. International readers, we’ll have to work something out.

Being a fan of Logitech (check out the diNovo Edge), and after receiving recommendations from others, I decided a Logitech Harmony was my best bet for controlling most if not all of my electronics.

Hunt for special deals – online and local

After a day of online research, I had settled on the Logitech Harmony 720. CNET awarded the remote with an 8.3. With a suggested retail price of $169, the Harmony 720 is not cheap. Fortunately, Costco offers the remote with a $50 mail-in / instant coupon discount bringing the price down to $119. Once I had ruffled through the included documentation, I inserted the installation CD-ROM (Windows & Mac OS compatible software), and began the remote control programming process.

Gone are the days of seemingly arbitrary device codes

At some point in time, we’ve all had to deal with feature-limited IR remote controls. Chances are high that you have all spent time trying to program remotes using device codes for your electronic components. If none of the device codes worked properly, you were essentially SOL. Remember these?

1. Turn on the device that you wish to control.
2. Point the remote at the device and hold down the Code Search button.
3. Hold down the button [on the remote] which corresponds with the device to be programmed. Release when the LED blinks 3 consecutive times.
4. Enter one device code at a time. Press Power to test whether or not the code works. If the device powers off, you have the correct device code.

Oh the good ‘ol days. Unintuitive, time consuming to program, and unfriendly for the average consumer. Fortunately, universal remote technology has improved just as any other electronic device has improved. The Logitech Harmony 720 is one such remote which offers far more feature-wise than its predecessors, yet manages to deliver in a package which is easier to program and use.

Farewell device codes, hello visual programming guide

Manually entering device codes is a thing of the past. Logitech went to great lengths so that customers could spend less time scratching their head [programming], and more time operating all of their components from a single universal remote. How does Logitech accomplish this? Rather than requiring that device codes be manually inputed and tested on the remote, Logitech uses desktop software (Windows XP / Vista & Mac OS versions included) + a USB cable to program the Harmony remotes. That’s right, it’s 2007, and everything – including the Harmony remote – is programmed and managed from your computer. No computer? I don’t even want to imagine.

Programming devices for the Harmony remote is as simple as answering a few questions including the a) device category, b) device type, c) manufacturer, and d) model. Once the details are in place, Logitech syncs the settings with your Harmony remote via USB. Any necessary updates are downloaded from the net directly. Fortunately, Logitech maintains a considerable database of component programming ensuring that most of the electronics in your collection can be controlled. If, by chance Logitech needs additional programming, your Harmony remote can "listen" to your original IR remote.

Swapping between entertainment "modes"

While programming for use with my electronic components was not surprising, I was excited to see the introduction of "Activities" – pre-set / programmed entertainment modes which enable or disable certain components based on what you wish to do. Examples:

• Want to watch digital cable? Select the My TV activity and the Logitech remote will turn on your television, cable box, and sound system.
• Want to play video games? The Logitech Harmony will turn off your cable box and power on your game console (if supported) and switch your television input.

Activities can be any number of entertainment modes automatically configured by Logitech (recommendations) based on your added devices, or manually configured by yourself. Enable or disable certain audio / video components based on your needs and assign each to its own "Activities" button.

Creating and setting-up activities is just as easy as adding devices to the remote. There may be one or two extraneous steps during the setup process, but the end result is a true universal remote.

All of your components controlled in Harmony? Likes / dislikes

Likes

• Managing / programming the remote via USB from both Mac OS & Windows.
• Auxiliary display provides component controls based on the device which is currently selected.
• Tilt sensor enables the backlit buttons and display whenever the remote is picked-up.
• LOVE how each of my existing (and future) components are supported.
• Re-chargeable!

Dis-likes

• Logitech software is more of a specialized web browser.
• Button labels are painted on.
• Central control buttons (chrome) have too resounding of a click.
• Not all buttons are backlit. Hopefully your television screen provides enough light in a dark room so that you can see all of the buttons.
• Software on Mac OS is still a little buggy.

Do you own a Logitech Harmony? Something else? Drop a comment sharing your thoughts on whether or not you’re controlling all of your components with a universal.

Save on Wholesale Electronics

Get your electronics for the lowest price and search for wholesale electronics today! You’ll be glad you did, and you can use the money you saved on other home electronics that catch your eye. Never pay too much for electronics.

Belkin introduces the N1 Vision

Belkin recently launched the N1 Vision ($199) which offers a built-in display for broadband network speed, upload & download speed, individual computer bandwidth usage, connected devices, total data usage over a 24 hour period, devices accessing the network as guests, and a general clock / date.

Packaged in a new sleek and sophisticated design, N1 Vision offers the best in networking performance with its wireless 802.11n* 3×3 radio design and wired gigabit ports. The N1 Vision wireless router continues Belkin’s commitment in providing the best user experience in the home market through its Plug-and-Play “CD-less” installation and simple network security setup. [source]

My N1 Vision arrived earlier this week and gave me plenty of time to experience the setup, test performance, and share my thoughts concerning a $199 802.11n router.

Apple sets the packaging standard, Belkin takes a hint

Like many other companies, Belkin picked-up on a few hints from Apple and their attention to packaging detail. See Apple, Jawbone, and Belkin below:

Clean and organized packaging really does translate into an easier unboxing and setup experience. The numerical hints which adorn the small boxed items match the numerical order of steps found in the quick start guide & on the back of the router itself.

N1 Vision; a "friendly" router installation

Setting up the router is as simple as plugging in the power adapter (wall-to-unit), connecting the ethernet cable (modem-to-router), hard wiring a computer (initial setup), and typing "routersetup" in your favorite browser. From here, the installation is quick and easily completed within a minute or two.

Opening "routersetup" in your default browser begins the setup process for entering your network name (SSID), security key (default security type is WPA + WPA2 PSK), guest mode (disabled by default), and a guest security key. Click apply and the router is provisioned and restarted.

Once the router saves your initial settings, your setup is complete. Disconnect your computer from the router and search for your new wireless network to connect.

Belkin N1 Vision setup screen – click for high resolution screenshot.

N1 Vision display is not gimmicky

An auxiliary wireless router display may seem gimmicky considering the router serves a single purpose of sharing your internet connection. However, after a week of use, the router display has proven itself as a great resource for diagnosing your wireless network performance.

• The ISP is currently down, N1 Vision makes this known by overriding the current view with a status message notifying you of connectivity issues.
• Want to know who is on your network? Browse through a list of connected users.
• Curious to know why your network is feeling sluggish? Find out who is moving the most data right now.
• Wow your guests and showcase your geekiness.

Things I like, and a few I don’t

Likes

• Excellent network coverage – up to 1600 ft. With the router setup in my apartment, I can access the network from one of my favorite sushi spots up the street.
• Auxiliary display which lets me see how much data is moving in and out while sitting back watching television.
• The router is appealing enough to keep in plain view – looks right at home with the glossy finish of the Toshiba Regza LCD.
• Gigabit – need I see more? Four ports to share the data between XBox, Mac Mini, and networked media server.

Dislikes

• The N1 Vision arrived factory sealed but has some serious spider scratches over the entire finish – bad quality inspection.
• Buttons to navigate the different display views require a very firm press. Buttons click but often do not respond unless firmly pressed for 1-2 secs.
• Entering "routersetup" from any networked machines does not open the router admin panel – the usual 192.168.x.1 does the trick.

Overall, I am a huge fan of the router which offers a huge set of security options and wireless configurations. Guest access mode is great, but not something I see myself enabling. Prior to the N1 Vision, I was using the the Kyocera KR1 router + Sprint’s EVDO network as my main connection. The addition of the auxiliary display gives me a heads-up on network activity while providing a little extra juice for moving data on my local network. [Digg this]

* Belkin N1 Vision unboxing pictures on Flickr.

Save on Wholesale Electronics

Whether you are buying a universal remote or a new tv get your electronics for reduced prices and you’ll save a lot! There are all sorts of home electronics available for wholesale prices, so make sure to research wholesale electronics today and save on technology.

Front view of the Samsung NV11 digital camera. Solid housing and a Schneider lens to capture images w/ a resolution up to 10.1 mega pixels. The only drawback is that the lens does not sit flush with the body.

Jutting out from the front of the housing is a Schneider Varioplan 7.8-39mm lens. What sets the NV11 apart from the rest of the point-n-shoot options is the lens which juts out the front side of the camera. It’s not the prettiest camera on store shelves, but surely meets the standards of a specific user looking for an everyday point ‘n shoot built like a tank.

In it’s powered-off state, the NV11 lens housing juts out of the front side of the camera. Within due time, you begin to look past this physical "inconvenience" after enjoying the zoom capability of the camera.

The Samsung NV11 specs

Not your typical point-n-shoot camera, the Samsung NV11 offers a great selection of options and features including one of the trickest grid-like interfaces (which reminded me of playing Battleship). Using a series of horizontal and vertical touch sensitive buttons, the NV11 offers an intuitive interface for navigating camera options or adjusting image settings on-the-fly.

• Image Sensor: 1/1.8" CCD, 10.1 MP
• Lens: Schneider 7.8-39mm, F2.8 – F4.4, 5X Optical Zoom, 11.4X Digital Zoom
• LCD: 2.7" TFT LCD
• Shutter: Auto: 1 – 1/2000, Manual, S Mode: 15 – 1/2000 , Night: 15 – 1/2000
• Facial Recognition – Coupled with the Advanced Shake Reduction, blurry portraits are a thing of the past.

The list of specifications is long winded and includes various exposure, flash, sharpness, effects, white balance, and voice & movie recordings. Enjoy the ability to record DVD quality videos at an amazing 30 fps.

A larger point ‘n shoot

Driving down Pike St. (Seattle) – George Bush Federal Courthouse and Space Needle in the distance

Up close, giant serving of Pesto atop a salmon omelet at CJ’s Cafe.

As many others believe, actions & images speak louder than words. Thanks to the intuitive interface, simple learning curve, and overall simplicity, it was possible to spend more time shooting rather than flipping through the manual. The solid build and size coupled with the Anti-shake mechanism allowed for clear un-blurred candid images.

Likes and dislikes

I am by no means a professional photographer, but I do enjoy trick looking gadgets that manage to turn heads or raise eyebrows. The Samsung NV11 is not your usual Canon SD – the large lens protruding out the front of the camera makes others wonder "is that a point ‘n shoot?"

Likes

• High Sensitivity up to ISO 1600
• 10.1 MP – Pixels aren’t everything, but the NV11 matches my Nikon D80 (for pixels).
• Solid build quality and industrial strength aesthetics.
• Intuitive touch interface – glide your fingers across the sensors horizontally & vertically to manipulate settings, edit photos, apply effects, or browse.
• Large screen – no wonder the camera is on the larger side.
• On board photo editing and effects – frame, add drop shadows, frames, rounded corners, etc. (Skip the post processing and add image effects directly on the camera and print).
• USB cable charging – charge via USB using the wall adapater or your computer.

Dislikes

• No memory card – I understand that it is becoming the norm not to include a memory card, but a 512 MB wouldn’t hurt.
• Image distortion with Advanced Shake Reduction enabled. See the Pike St. (Seattle) image above.
• Slow start-up time – a little bulkier and slower to start compared to standard point ‘n shoot cameras.
• Bulky hard lined housing and obtrusive lens; check out the the compact sibling Samsung NV3 (7.2 MP).
• Weak flash
• Noticeable noise at ISO 100-400.

Desktop clients integrate with your OS & other applications

With no real plans to turn this article into a "my method is better than your method" argument, I’ll get straight to the point. Desktop email clients, like Apple Mail, offer integrated OS features which are difficult to make use of with a web based email service like Gmail. Attempting to do so requires a number of 3rd party software packages or utilities which give the feeling of tight integration.

• Google Notifier – Google’s official OS X menu bar utility. Provides quick access to both Gmail and Google Calendars. Includes a notification pop-up window for new messages. Unfortunately, clicking on notifications will open Gmail in Safari. Disable this option and use Growl notifications in order to open messages in your default browser. Also provides support for mailto: links.
• Gmail + Growl – Provides Growl support for the official Google Notifier. Growl notifies you of new messages; clicking on Growl notifications opens the message in your default browser.
• iPhoto2Gmail – Quickly email images from within iPhoto. Send original images or optimized (resized) versions. Unorthodox method of sending which requires users to Export > iPhoto2Gmail in order to send.
• Gmail Notifier (Firefox) – Notifies you of unread messages in your Gmail account. Automatically composes new messages in Gmail for mailto: links. Unfortunately, because this is a Firefox extension, no support for other applications.

If you’re hoping to ditch Apple Mail for Gmail, you’ll need to rely on one of the aforementioned utilities. As you can see, no single utility acts as a universal solution. For example, I can install the Google Notifier which in turn makes Gmail my default mail client, but in order to send images directly from iPhoto, I will need to install iPhoto2Gmail. In order to achieve the feeling of having completely integrated Gmail into your daily work flow, chances are high that you will need to make use of at least two options from the list above.

Mailplane – one application, a handful of answers

Mailplane – A special Gmail "browser" which integrates Gmail into your daily OS X work flow & applications

Ruben is hard at work creating what looks to be the solution to answer every Gmail users needs. The solution is a single application known as Mailplane. As of this posting, Mailplane is in a private beta with current users providing developer feedback to ensure that the final release is as polished as can be. To be honest, it’s practically there. Here’s an early beta look at the application which will blur the line between web based and desktop email.

Your initial reaction(s) may be that Mailplane is nothing more than a dedicated "browser" to access Gmail. In its simplest form, that is exactly what it is. The real beauty and usefulness of the application happens behind the scenes. Once installed, the 5MB application provides many of the same features provided by Apple’s Mail + your own POP3 account.

Customize how Gmail & Mailplane interact locally

Screenshots of the current Prefence Pane application options (these may change once the application goes public)

Beyond the standard Gmail Account settings accessible directly from within your Gmail account, Mailplane provides a number of additional preference options which tie the application into your operating system and improve your overall user experience.

A whole new Gmail experience with Mailplane

Gmail users who access their accounts from Safari, Firefox, Camino, or any other browser may be turned off by the fact that Mailplane overrides the default keyboard shortcuts. I was a little disoriented by the change, but like any application, finding shortcuts is a quick process simply by browsing through the available menus (see the Mail related menu to the left). After 5-10 minutes of use, I was well on may way – fully adjusted to the new keyboard shortcuts.

Anyone who uses screenshots to supplement their emails will enjoy the convenience of the ‘Screenshot’ functionality built right into Mailplane. ‘Screenshot’ will automatically open Apple’s Grab utility. Once you’ve made your selection, Mailplane automatically attaches the image to your current email.

The simplicity of sending attachments does not stop there. Attach images, archives, or other files simply by dragging the item directly into an open Mailplane window. If you you are not composing a message, Maiplane will begin one for you. If you have an existing email open, the file is immediately added as an attachment. See the added benefits of accessing Gmail through Mailplane below.

What’s integrated, and how will I benefit?

Click above for a 5 min. (29MB) live demo of the application as I showcase some of the benefits of accessing and managing your Gmail account through Mailplane. Quicktime is required. Alternatively, view the low quality YouTube version.

• Address Book – Use Apple’s Address Book to manage your contacts? Because of Mailplane’s integration, sending email to contacts is as simple as locating an email address and toggling the drop down menu next to each. Selecting ‘Send Email’ will open a new Gmail compose screen so you can begin your message right away.
• Safari – Enjoy sending archived views or URLs to contacts via email? Mailplane lets you do just that. If you’re viewing a website that you want to share via email, simply select ‘Mail Contents of This Page’ or CMD+I to download an archived view which is attached to a new email. Your other option is to select ‘Mail Link of This Page’ or Shift+CMD+I to send the title of the page as the Subject line and the URL as the body.
• iPhoto – Want to send photographs to family and friends from within iPhoto? Simply highlight the photographs of your choice and select the ‘Email’ icon at the bottom of the window. Photos are automatically resized (based on your Mailplane preference settings) and attached to a new email. Realize that you forgot to add some images? Simply drag images directly into your current compose window to have them automatically attached.
• Firefox – Similar to the send link as email integration with Safari, Mailplane will also detect and compose a new email for any pages you designate to be sent [via email]. The page title is added as the Subject Line and the URL as the body content.
• Global mailto: – Any applications with email requirements are handled by Mailplane.

For a better idea of how integrated Gmail becomes when accessed with Gmail, make sure to check out the 5 min. video demo (29MB – Quicktime required).

Whether or not your current work flow would benefit from a dedicated Gmail application is something you will need to experiment with when the private beta is released to the public. Feel free to address any questions or concerns in the comments below or visit the Mailplane website for more information. Now that you are aware of the added benefits of using Mailplane with Gmail, are you more inclined to make the transition to Gmail as your main email solution? Or, are you going to stick with your existing email solution? If this was helpful, consider a digg!

Business Email Solutions

If you need to set up small business email accounts you know just how hard it can be to get good email hosting. Many small businesses use outlook exchange to get their essential email responsibilities taken care of, but there are many other email options out there as well.