CrunchGear » holidays 2007

CrunchGear’s 2007 Year-End review round-up

Matt Hickey — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:30:14 +0000

It’s the end of the year, and we’ve covered a lot of ground in the last 12 months, much of it with snarky reviews. Let’s look back, shall we, at a handful of these reviews, just for fun. We’ve seeen phones, cameras, iPods, cases, and combinations thereof. These items we liked (usually), and we think you’ll like them, too. The rest can be found here or here.

Ultimate Ears Super.fi 4vi: the review

While the iPhone has many problems, we’re only going to focus on one: Apple’s crazy decision to use a recessed headphone jack; a decision that, without a clunky adapter, rendered useless every decent set of headphones out there. And even with the adapter, your headphones have no mic or toggle button, which is one of the coolest things of the iPhone. It was a conundrum of epic proportions.

Six months out, however, we have some options.

DLO’s Dope iPhone Cases

While I’m not one for trapping my electronics in cases myself, I know that I’m in the minority. Your iPod will get dropped, dirty, and damp, some protective armor of some sort is in order. And if you’re an iPhone user, then protecting your fragile investment is important, and DLO has you covered, too.

Sprint’s HTC Touch

The Touch by HTC is hands down one of the best devices I’ve used in the past two years. That says a lot considering the number of devices that roll through the CrunchGear offices. But to each his own, I say. The Touch has been an integral part of my stay in the Bay Area and has saved me on more than one occasion.

Sidekick LX

When I got the LX last week, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. After all, I had already abandoned the SK3 and SK ID for the charming animations of the iPhone. So what if the iPhone didn’t have native AIM on the iPhone — there were a few apps that kind of worked. So what if the iPhone didn’t have a solid, real keyboard. I could handle that. So what if the iPhone wasn’t one of the best casual messaging phones on the market?

Sprint’s Palm Centro

For those of you who might not know, the Centro is Palm’s follow-up to the popular Treo line of smartphones. Features-wise, it’s pretty similar. The Centro takes the Treo’s aged form-factor up to a more modern level. The Centro isn’t the smallest smartphone out there, but it competes nicely.

Helio Ocean

The Helio Ocean marks a sea change in the evolution of MVNOs. Previously allotted for a limited demographic, the Ocean signals a significant market expansion for the cellco youngster Helio. Aimed directly at the Sidekick crowd, the Ocean could be poised to erode some of T-Mobile’s bountiful cache of hip youngsters with cash to liquidate for cool technologies.

Casio Exilim EX-Z75

For the past year, I’ve spent time with numerous Casio digital cameras. The Exilim series has proven to be an excellent blend of both value and performance. A fantastic camera at a low price if you will. But camera after camera, Casio didn’t really do much to change the design of each model. At one point, the difference between a 10.1-megapixel camera and a 6-megapixel camera was virtually undetectable (well, except for the megapixel thing). But with the release of the EX-Z75, Casio has tried something new. The unit I received has a new design, a bright blue paint job, and a new UI to play with. Has Casio finally taken a step forward?

iPod Touch

If you know someone who wants an iPhone, don’t get it for them. Instead get them the fantastic — yes, fantastic — iPod Touch. The iPhone, design and interface aside, is a crappy cellphone. No, it is. When I first got mine, I said, “If they can find a way to take out the phone part, I’d be in love.” They did that, and so dubbed it the iPod Touch.

T-Mobile keeps on giving

Peter Ha — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:08:38 +0000

No disrespect to the original, but BHIC does a damn good job here. Give it a minute before you hit the jump for the one and only.

Looking to switch carriers? T-mobile near the top of the list? Well, the deal just got sweeter because they’re waiving the $35 activation fee for n00bs until the end of the year. So scoot on over to your local store or check out the site. The Curve, Sidekick LX, N95, Stripe and Shadow are good choices for your impending exodus.

What did you get?

John Biggs — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:27:58 +0000

Tell CG what you got for Christmas! I got a Noon Solar bag and Omega GMT Seamaster. My son got this crazy hot wheels thing with a dragon that knocks a car off of a track. I remember when my parents used to give us twigs and dirt. Those, my friends, were the days.

Have a great night

John Biggs — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:30:32 +0000

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night. From all of us at CG to all of you in TV-land, here’s to a great year gone by and a great year ahead. We couldn’t have done it without you. Now, let’s hear it for the CG team:

Peter Ha

Matt Hickey

Blake Robinson

Nicholas Deleon

Doug Aamoth

Devin Coldewey

Bryce Durbin

These guys put the “fun” back into “fundamentally flawed journalism!”

CG Holiday 2007 Recommendation: Picknik, the online photo editor

Nicholas Deleon — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:00:15 +0000

Hate opening Photoshop, that resource hog, just to resize an image? Me, too! That’s why I use Picnik, an online photo editor that uses the magic of Web 2.0 to—get this—edit photos. It can grab photos from your Flickr, Facebook, Picassa, Photobucket and Webshots account, or edit photos you have on your computer. There’s a premium version, too, that, for $25 a year, gets you access to a bunch more photo filters and effects. I personally don’t use the premium, but that’s only because I rarely do anything beyond cropping, resizing, etc.

Better still, the Picnik team seems to be a fun bunch. The site is peppered with little witticisms and whatnot that make you realize the people behind the curtain aren’t total jerks. I appreciate that.

Picnik

CG Holiday 2007 Recommendation: Onkyo HT-SR800 all-in-one home theater

Nicholas Deleon — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:00:34 +0000

It may be a little late to be recommending things for Christmas, but if you find yourself with a couple of extra dollars come tomorrow and have been in the market for a decent sound system and you live in an apartment, then I’d recommend you check out the Onkyo HT-SR800. It’s one of those all-in-one home theater deals, only it doesn’t suck (according to some of the folks over at AVS Forum, my home away from home).

For $400, you get 7.1 channel processing, two HDMI inputs (and one output) with full 1080p support and the speakers and subwoofer to go along for the ride. It’s not bad for the money and takes all of the guesswork out of figuring out how to make your little home theater sparkle.

Additionally, HALA MADIRD.

Onkyo HT-SR800 [Onkyo]

CG Holiday 2007 Recommendation: “Blade Runner: Final Cut”

Nicholas Deleon — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:45:14 +0000

Check the calendar, last-minute Christmas shopper. You’ve only four days (if you count today) till D-Day, so here’s a gift that should be easy to find at pretty much any retailer: “Blade Runner (Five-Disc Complete Collector’s Edition).” This is the final, that’s-all-she-wrote version of the cult classic starring Harrison Ford. Director Ridley Scott and some mega fan had complete creative control over the project, so rest assured that this version of the movie is exactly what Scott originally had in mind.

That it’s in HD only adds to the value: $28 for pretty much the best sci-fi movie ever made.

Blade Runner [Amazon] (HD DVD version)

Blade Runner [Amazon] (Blu-ray version)

CG Holiday 2007 Recommendation: Van Damme in “Timecop”

Peter Ha — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:34:54 +0000

Do I really need to endorse this one? It’s Van Damme in HD. Sure, it’s not his best movie (”Blood Sport” gets my vote), but it’s in HD! He does the splits as he does in every movie. Pick up Universal’s “Timecop”, you know you want to.

Amazon

CG Holiday 2007 Recommendation/Review: Rain Design’s mStand

Peter Ha — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:34:43 +0000

There are a plethora of laptop stands on the market, but I was looking for something a little more classy and way hotter. Naturally I checked to see what Rain Designs had and I instantly fell for the mStand. It’s made from a solid piece of aluminum and my only regret is that I don’t have a MacBook Pro for the matching anodized look. It looks almost exactly like the iMac stand doesn’t it?

The mStand brings up my MacBook to eye level and it acts sort of like a heat sync. Of course, I wouldn’t really know unless I put it on my lap, but I’m not willing to do that since I singe my crotch every night when I’m at home on the couch. Because of it’s design it brings the screen in a little closer. You can stash your keyboard underneath when it’s not being used and organize cables via the grommet in the back. I’ve only had it for a few days, but my wrists thank you, Rain Designs.

Don’t worry, PC owners. You can even use the mStand for your 14- or 15-inch lapper so long as its maximum depth is 10.4-inches.

It’s 10 percent off right now, too. Go ahead and grab one. It may be too late for Xmas, but this is a gift that would be welcomed any time.

CG Holiday 2007 Recommendation: XtremeMac’s XtremeHD HDMI switcher

Matt Hickey — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:49:12 +0000

I really love home theater stuff. I’m a nerd for it. And that means that, perhaps like you, I’ve run out of HDMI ports for my gear. My TV has but one, and I’ve got three different devices that vie for it, much the same as how girls vie for my attention.

The solution is the XtremeHD HDMI switcher by the geniuses over at XtremeMac. Looking very much like my Apple TV, the XtremeHD, lack of leading vowels aside, is a simple machine that works flawlessly, and is just what the doctor ordered. For the HDMI situation, not the girls who chase me.

The four inputs are switched to the one output via a manual button on the front or with a very simple, Apple-like remote. What’s really great is that the switching codes the remote uses are part of the huge database of codes the Harmony 520 super-universal remote knows, meaning I more or less have an auto-switching solution.

As far as video and audio goes, you’d be hard pressed to hear or see any difference in the video before or after it’s hit the switcher. It’s all digital, so it goes right through.

I’m using XtremeMac’s HDMI and HDMI-to-DVI cables, and they’re sturdy enough for any high-end system. Forget Monster.

I really like the fact that it stacks perfectly with the AppleTV, a product the switcher is made to compliment. But that’s not the only thing it’s good for, it’s small enough and easy enough to use that it should be part of any multi-HDMI home theater set up.

By way of summary, if you have more HDMI-outs than HDMI-ins, get yourself the XtremeHD switcher. Now if only XtremeMac could make something like this for my love life (I mean besides roofies), I’d be set!

XtremeHD [Product Page]

Japanese Wi-Fi finding watch!

Matt Hickey — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:07:42 +0000

It’s a pretty decent looking digital watch that also happens to be a Wi-Fi hotspot locator. Oh how’d I’d love to have one of these!

Sorry, this is a geeks-only device, and it’s $30 on Think Geek.

Wi-Fi finding watch [Think Geek, thanks, Ro!]

Dear Mom: KITT is up on eBay

Matt Hickey — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:34:35 +0000

I know you read this blog, Mom, to keep tabs on me. And because you’re proud that I’m the only guy here yet to make dick jokes, so I’d like to draw your attention to an auction on eBay.

You might remember when growing up that Knight Rider was one of my favorite shows after the Dukes of Hazzard and The A-Team. I always wanted to drive KITT, and now I can. See, KITT is up for auction, one of the original four used on the show. And there’s only one bid at $20,000! We can do this!

In fact, we can split it. If you just want to give me a $10,000 eBay gift card, I’ll take care of everything else. K?

Thanks Mom, you rule!

Matt

Oh, yah, here’s the auction. [eBay]

CG Holiday 2007 Recommendation: My Word Coach for the DS, Wii

Peter Ha — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:48:02 +0000

in my holiday gift guide, but the more I play it the more I realize what an exceptional game it is. When you first play you are put through an evaluation process to determine your Expression Potential, which is a score that represents your ability to use and command the English language. You get to pick one of four coaches who focus on different aspects of the language and help you to improve where you see fit. I haven’t unlocked all the games yet, but I’m definitely learning a thing or two everyday. The falling blocks game pisses me off. I can’t finish the game in the allotted time when there aren’t any blocks to spell the words! *ROAR*

Parents, get this for your kids on the Wii or DS. When they fall asleep you should borrow that DS or Wii and play yourself. Trust me. You won’t regret it. There’s also a My Spanish Coach and My French Coach. Wouldn’t hurt to get the little ones either of these, too.

Product Page

CG Holiday 2007 Recommendation: Visit the TerraPass store

Peter Ha — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:48:14 +0000

are $34.95.

Even when things are in sleep mode or turned off they’re still using up juice and costing you cents every day so maybe the Smart Strip would do you some good. It says it will turn off your peripherals automatically and works with the sleep mode function on computers. If it can actually save up to 260 watts per hour then sign me up. Grab one for $32.95.

If you want to know exactly how much power your devices are using then plug em into the Kill A Watt and see just how efficient or inefficient they are. The LCD will give you important stats like the kilowatt-hour and shows you volts, amps, watts, Hz and VA. It’ll give you a rough estimate as to how much you’ll be paying at the end of the month. It’ll set you back $29.95.

The TerraPass store is full of other eco-friendly gadgets so check it out and help save the earth. Seriously.

CG Holiday 2007 Recommendation: Merrell’s Universal Jacket

Peter Ha — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:19:20 +0000

I’ve been hunting for a new winter coat because, well, I don’t like to wear my wool coat all the time. I don’t like getting it wet and sometimes I just want something I can throw on and go batshit crazy around the city in, but I still want to look fashionable, too. To be honest, I’m looking for a new coat because, in my drunken stupor last week, I left my umbrella at the bar or in the cab and I’d rather spend $400 on a new coat than $20 on an umbrella. Heh.

I dig the looks of Merrell’s Universal jacket and all of its features. It has a Gore-Tex pro shell 3-layer that’s waterproof and breathes easily along with 8mm seam seals. I don’t imagine any moisture seaping through the front zipper, either, thanks to the bonded storm flap and pit-zips are nice because I get hot very easily. And the five cargo pockets should be sufficient enough for my gadgets.

Product Page

Holiday Horror Contest winners

John Biggs — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:05:06 +0000

I’m pleased to announce the two winners in our Holiday Horror contest:

* beaudeal’s Holiday Horror: Canada has too much snow
* XDonBoard’s Holiday Horror: Rompin’ through the desert with illegals and no cash!

These two crazy kids got the most total votes and comments. Special thanks to AT&T and TeleNav for the great prizes.

Holiday Recommendation: “The Wire”

Blake Robinson — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:03:10 +0000

If you’ve been left hungry for new content due to the writer’s strike, I suggest you check out HBO’s “The Wire.” If you’ve ever found yourself caught watching a predictable episode of “Law & Order” or “CSI” then rest assured that “The Wire” could flay those shows alive.

It’s arguably the best show on TV ever and the first four seasons are available on DVD for under $50 each. And the best part, the fifth, and final, season starts Jan. 6. Filming is complete and it’s wholly untouched by striking writers and retarded network execs.

The Wire on Amazon

CG Holiday Recommendation: Once

John Biggs — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:08:48 +0000

. BTW – On the hill, when she looks up at him and says something in Czech? She’s saying “I love you.”

Product Page

Holiday Contest: Tell us your holiday travel horror stories, win a Blackberry Curve with Telenav

Peter Ha — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:28:17 +0000

Over the river and through the woods indeed — the next few weeks are going to be some the nastiest travel weeks ever. Take snow, sleet, the flu, poor logistics, and a few million roadside assistance calls and you’ve got a nightmare waiting to happen. We want to make your holiday travel a little easier and, thanks to the good people at AT&T and Telenav, we have two Blackerry 8310 with three months Telenav service to give away to two lucky — or actually unlucky — readers.

Telenav is a turn-by-turn voice direction service that will get you from Point A to a nice Turkey Dinner in less time than it takes to type in an address. With Curve, as we all know, is a really nice phone is now my personal favorite. It’s a Win/Win.

Here’s how to enter.

1. Tell us your holiday horror story in BFF. Tell us about the time you spent 15 hours on the tarmac waiting for a 1 hour flight and then the let live gerbils loose on the plane. Tell us about the 2-day road trip you took with your parents to Aunt Myrt’s only to find that Aunt Myrt had moved to Cabo and become Uncle Milt. Tell us your pain. Begin the post with “Holiday Horror:” and then add your little headline.
2. Have your friends, neighbors, and other advanced life forms to vote for and comment on your post. COMMENTS COUNT AS VOTES!
3. Repeat.
4. We will pick the most popular two posts on Monday, December 17th. You will get a Curve and be very happy.

Good luck and happy holiday travels.

HD Radi-who? An HD Radio Buyer’s Guide makes HD radio actually look interesting

John Biggs — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:41:30 +0000

I’m a satellite radio guy but that doesn’t mean I don’t listen to regular radio now and again. Thanks to HD radio, you can now listen to commercials, Soulja Boy, and commercials 24/7 in CD quality, ensuring you’ll never miss a song you’ve never really heard before but is apparently very popular as a ringtone and, as a result, gets played on terrestrial stations with intense frequency.

Now, the folks at the HD Radio Alliance et al have put together a buying guide to keep you abreast of the latest in HD radio technology. To recap: XM FTW, but HD radio is apparently just super so give it a listen.

Buyer’s Guide