Intempo iDS-02 iPod Speaker System
Saturday, September 30, 2006
I just love the look of all these new and innovative speaker systems for the iPod, but none more so than the iDS-02 from Intempo Digital. Two 7.5 watt speakers and a 15 watt subwoofer in this spherical design, looks really cool and available in black or white. I hope to bring you a review real soon, but until then, check out the link.
Zune extras plus exposed screen !
Well, I don't need to tell you that I am a true iPod fan, with all this Zune news really getting me wound up. Not that I think it will be any sort of threat, but I do think people may end up wasting there money and it effecting the MP3 market as a whole.
Anyway, Microsoft has made it official, along with details of accessories here.
Also, one thing worries me about the Zune, if you look at the images of it, the screen looks like a normal LCD, with no hard protection (like the iPod). So with people stuffing their Zune's into pockets and bags, I can see a lot of people crying with damaged screens. What do you think?
Grand Opening of Apple Store Manchester
Thursday, September 28, 2006
The Apple Store Manchester Arndale will open to the public on Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. BST.I love Apple Store openings, they make me tingle inside and I do not mind admitting that when I visit my local the hours just seem to fly past, even if my wallet stays in my pocket (which it does not very often). So it gives me great pleasure to bring you this news and to urge you, if you can make it down to the Arndale Centre in Manchester then you are guaranteed a great day.
From the press release:
At the Apple Store, knowledgeable salespeople are available to help customers learn about all the latest products from Apple including the all-new iPod® nano featuring a new aluminium body, 24 hours of battery life and more than twice the music capacity at the same price as the previous generation, and the new iPod with a brighter and more vibrant colour display perfect for watching music videos and viewing photos and album art. The hands-on Apple Store experience provides visitors with a chance to test-drive Apple’s entire product line including the critically acclaimed iMac® and MacBook™, featuring Intel processors, a built-in iSight™ camera and the breakthrough Front Row media experience. Customers can also visit the Genius Bar for free, face-to-face technical support and The Studio where Creatives are on hand to help with all of their creative projects from retouching photos to making professional quality movies.
Additional information about Apple’s retail stores is available at www.apple.com/uk/retail
Netgear DG834N Review
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
We all want extra speed, it doesn’t matter how fast a human can actually read a web page or surf the ever expanding internet, when we see the new offering of ‘Super-uber 500 Megabit Broadband’ we sign up before even looking at the price. We want to download that movie (legal download of course) and boast to our friends how it download in just ten seconds. For the rest of us, who want to be productive in our daily work, of course speed is important, but so is stability of service and, if you use a laptop, wireless speed is also right up there on the top of the list.Often referred to as 802.11x where ‘x’ can be an a, b or g, the differing speeds are not often noticeable, but a new offering has been around for a little while now, in the format of ‘draft 802.11n’ and we take a look at Netgear’s DG834N which offers this, plus a whole lot more. Before I continue I should make a clarification about the ‘draft’ statement. This is because 802.11n is not a standard yet, the final specification has yet to be carved into stone, so things may change. Some say some devices may become redundant if things in the final 802.11n change too much, but I say in this day and age, any changes made would most definitely be available as a firmware update.
So, the DG834N falls into Netgear’s ‘RangeMax Next’ range and is offered alongside various other devices that compliment the new speed offering. These include a wireless notebook adapter (WN511B) and a wireless PC adapter (WN311B) which we have here to test as well. It is only really when you use these in conjunction with the DG834N that you will benefit from all the new improvements on offer.
However, you can use this device with your current set-up as it does offer compatibility with 802.11b & g.
Speed Demon
So the new speed increases promise up to 270Mbps when used with the relevant adapter, compared to 11Mbps on 802.11b and 54Mbps on 802.11g, so a very worthwhile jump. In practice and without getting to technical, I found downloads over wireless to offer on average a twofold improvement, dependent on the position of my PC (with WN311B adapter installed). A handy table below shows all the different protocols and what speeds they have to offer... to download the full review click here.
Product supplied by Netgear, Inc.
Contact: +44 (0)1344 458200
Average street price: £93.88
Link to product.
Link to product datasheet.
Review update - coming soon
Thought it would be a good idea to give you an updated list of upcoming and just published reviews on the Geekanoids website. So here goes;How to Get Rich Quick - book by Felix Dennis - on the site now.
Apple's 2G iPod Nano (4Gb model) - on the site now.
Griffin iTrip Auto - now legal in the UK.
Lineform - by Freeverse, a nice alternative to Illustrator.
M-Audio Podcast Factory.
Netgear DG834N - wireless ADSL2+ modem router - this week.
Extensis Suitcase Fusion.
Extensis Portfolio 8.
Buffalo LinkStation Pro - 320Gb NAS hard drive.
Fujitsu ScanSnap S500 & Scantango OSX Driver Software.
Canon Powershot A640 - digital camera.
Lacie Porsche 500Gb USB2 Hard Drive.
Lacie Mobile 100Gb Hard Drive.
...plus some very interesting software reviews.
Buffalo NEW DriveStation Duo
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Dual SATA drives offer consumers and SME/SOHOs redundancy in plug-and-play external storageLondon, UK, 26th September 2006 - Buffalo Technology has today launched its DriveStation Duo USB 2.0/FireWire external hard drive. This latest addition to the DriveStation family comes equipped with two drives offering RAID 1 full data redundancy for home and small business (SOHO/SME) users. The DriveStation Duo is available in capacities of 500GB (HD-W500IU2/R1), 800GB (HD-W800IU2/R1), 1.0TB (HD-W1.0TIU2/R1) and 1.5TB (HD-W1.0TIU2/R1).
The DriveStation Duo is the first Buffalo storage device to feature both FireWire and USB 2.0 interfaces. It incorporates configurable RAID 1 (Mirroring) for improved reliability and full capacity spanning modes for maximum capacity. It also comes with a Windows® RAID utility to easily change RAID modes. For increased storage capacity, the DriveStation Duo includes two high performance SATA drives, delivering speeds of 7200rpm for improved speed and reliability.
“Having a plug-and-play direct-attached storage device equipped with RAID 1 is a big step for Buffalo because it offers our users full redundancy of data,” stated Gerardine Lynch, product marketing manager at Buffalo Technology. “RAID 1 in a two-disk product essentially means no data will be lost if one of the disks fails, and users can still operate the product during the rebuilding process. The DriveStation Duo not only provides continuous backup of the other disk but is a quick and easy way to store, access and transfer your music, photos, videos and other important files.”
The DriveStation Duo includes Secure Lock Ware, a security software tool that secures the device or selected files/folders using 256 bit AES encryption. This, along with backup software from Memeo™, delivers improved backup options, including regular system backup, scheduled backup and password protection.
Like the rest of the DriveStation range, the DriveStation Duo offers three automatic features for user-friendly operation: The Auto Setup function ensures quick, easy and driverless installation*; the Auto Power-On feature allows it to associate with the power of the attached computer and automatically power-on or off; and the Auto Backup feature enables customised backup scheduling to protect data.
The DriveStation line of storage devices can be used as backup drives to Buffalo’s other Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, including the LinkStation Home Server, LinkStation Pro, TeraStation Home Server and TeraStation Pro.
Backed by a limited two-year warranty, the DriveStation Duo will be available from October in capacities of 500GB, 800GB, 1.0TB and 1.5TB. Current estimated street prices (ex VAT) are as follows:
500GB - HD-W500IU2/R1 £135.99
800GB - HD-W800IU2/R1 £254.99
1.0TB - HD-W1.0TIU2/R1 £279.99
1.5TB - HD-W1.5TIU2/R1 £509.99
Link to Buffalo Technology.
How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis
I wanted to bring something a little different to my readers, because I felt it would be the right thing to try and entice you away from your screens for a little while. Spending hours in front of your Mac is a fine way to spend your day, but can induce back ache and eye strain if you overdo it. So, why not pick up a copy of 'How to Get Rich - by Felix Dennis'.Now, I am not a massive reader, but two things drew me to this book, firstly the title, as I wouldn't mind a bit (or a lot) of extra money, but secondly the man behind the book. We have all heard of the publication 'Mac User' and some of us may have seen 'Personal Computer World' on the shelf, well these are just a few titles by Dennis Publishing, founded in 1973 by Dennis Felix. He sold the two magazines and made millions and continues to do so in various ways.
The book is not one of those awful 'bible' type books, that lists what you must and mustn't do, complete with diagrams, rather it is written in a light hearted and frank manner by the man himself. He really drills home why you must not let opportunities pass you by and I found myself engrossed in reading for the first time in years.
"Making money is a knack, a knack that can be acquired. And if someone like me can become rich, then so can you - no matter what your present circumstances. Here is how I did it and what I learned along the way," writes Felix.
The Fallacy of the Great Idea, strikes home with "Good ideas are like Nike Sports shoes. They may facilitate an athlete who possesses them, but on their own they are nothing but an over-priced pair of plimsolls. Specially adapted plimsolls may be a good idea. But the goal is still to win, and sports shoes don't win. Athletes do. And yet I have lost count of the number of men and women who have approached me with their 'great idea', as if this, in and of itself, was some passport to instant wealth. The idea is not a passport. At most, it is the means of obtaining one."
I could keep quoting and quoting all day long, this book is just such a great read. Even if you do not want to 'get rich' (and believe me, there are those who don't), the writing is upbeat and it is interesting to learn about the man behind Dennis Publishing, so I highly recommend you give it a try.
Product supplied by Ebury
Retail price: £16.99 ($32.33)
ISBN: 0091912652
Pages: 304
Contact: www.eburypublishing.co.uk
Apple Releases Aperture 1.5 at Photokina 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Apple have just released details of Aperture version 1.5 at the Photokina 2006 event in Germany. The new updated application will be available this week as a free update for existing users, or at the existing £219 price for new users.Check out the new features such as iLife and iWork integration here.
Netgear Digital Entertainer (EVA700) News
In an age where movie downloads are becoming the norm and with the advent of Movie downloads from the iTunes Store, getting movies (and other visuals) to you main TV screen is something that more and more users are looking to do. I have personally just installed a network hard drive in my set-up and streaming to my computer is not a problem, but to my main TV, now that is a different matter. Netgear's new 'Digital Entertainer EVA700 could be the answer to all my problems, read on for Netgear's press release about their new product.
NETGEAR Announces the Digital Entertainer, Featuring Seamless Media
Streaming to TVs and Home Entertainment Systems from Intel Viiv™
Technology-Based PCs, Storage Devices and the Internet
NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) First Digital Media Adapter Verified
to Work with Intel Viiv Technology; Two Popular Wireless Routers Also
Verified to Enable Access to Content and Services through Home Networks
Bracknell, UK — September 25, 2006 — NETGEAR, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a
worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking
products, today introduced the first Intel Viiv technology-verified digital
media adapter (DMA), the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700), bringing
home computers and home entertainment systems together. The sleek and
stylish Digital Entertainer enables consumers to stream digital media
content, applications and services from PCs, network storage devices, USB
devices, and the Internet via a home network to TVs and home entertainment
systems.
“Where people store their files and access the Internet shouldn’t limit
where, when or how they enjoy their digital entertainment,” said Vivek
Pathela, NETGEAR’s vice president of product marketing. “Previously you
used your PC, but now you can also enjoy the same videos, photos and music
on your TV, in the comfort of your family room. We’ve dedicated
considerable effort to ensure options for high-quality video streaming for
hours of uninterrupted video playback, so digital media and services can be
delivered from the PC to home theatres across multiple rooms. Like other
NETGEAR products, our Digital Entertainer and wireless routers verified to
work with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs are characterised by their
elegance, reliability and simplicity.”
The Digital Entertainer also supports services and applications through the
Intel Viiv Zone, which will provide over time a growing choice of
on-demand, Internet-delivered premium content including music and music
videos, information services, sports and TV shows, full-length movies, and
other entertainment. Other Intel Viiv technology features supported include
the ability to wake a sleeping PC from the Digital Entertainer, and
simplified device set-up via Intel Hub Connect Technology — which also
requires a verified router such as the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless Router
(WPN824) and 54 Mbps Wireless Router (WGR614).
Consumers connect the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer to their existing home
networks through wired Ethernet for best results, or through an 802.11g
wireless standard-compliant router such as the Intel Viiv technology
verified NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless Router (WPN824) and 54 Mbps Wireless
Router (WGR614). For a proven wired Ethernet alternative, consumers can use
the NETGEAR 200 Mbps Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB101) (Geekanoids review here) to stream high quality video across multiple rooms in the house to ensure hours of
uninterrupted video playback.
User-friendliness is a hallmark of NETGEAR products. The NETGEAR Digital
Entertainer (EVA700) features an intuitive TV user interface that enables
families to browse their digital movie, video, music and photo files using
a single remote control. In addition to Intel Viiv technology based-PCs,
the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer supports access to content on standard
Windows XP PCs through Windows Media Connect as well as other Universal
Plug and Play (UPnP) media servers such as TwonkyMedia. The Digital
Entertainer can also stream content via the home network from the NETGEAR
Storage Central (SC101), associated with a PC, and many USB storage devices
such as flash drives, digital cameras and iPods. With its smooth burnished
platinum casing, similar in size to a standard DVD player, the Digital
Entertainer is a stylish addition to entertainment system cabinets.
The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) decodes many leading audio formats
(MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC), video formats (MPEG1/2/4, WMV, XviD) and image
formats (JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF). It integrates a 10/100Base-T Ethernet
controller, support for 802.11g wireless networking, and a USB 2.0 port for
additional connectivity with flash memory, digital cameras, iPod, or other
portable music and video players. The Digital Entertainer also includes RCA
connectors for composite and component video outputs with HD video support,
stereo RCA audio ports, an S-video port, and a SCART connector for regions
that require it. The Digital Entertainer complies with multiple
interoperability standards, including UPnP AV, Digital Living Network
Alliance (DLNA), and emerging digital rights management technologies such
as DTCP-IP and Microsoft® Windows Media DRM 10 for Network Devices. It
supports several security standards including WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK.
The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) is available now through select
retailers, e-commerce sites and value-added resellers. Backed by a one-year
warranty and 24/7 technical support, it has an MSRP of £200.
We hope to bring you a full review soon.
Apple iPod Nano 4Gb - New 2G Delivers !
Friday, September 22, 2006
To say I feel honoured is an understatement, but when I took the new 2nd generation iPod Nano out of the shipping box my jaw dropped. The new transparent packaging is fantastic and I now know why Steve Jobs mentioned it in his keynote. Not thinking my jaw could get any lower I removed the Nano from its’ packaging and was once again amazed at how much sleeker it felt than the previous generation.This is my first review where I just felt that I wanted to give you two pages (or more) of high resolution photographs. They say ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ and with the new Nano those words could not be more fitting. The case of the Nano is now all anodised aluminium and is so nice to touch, a real smooth feel, no worries about fingerprints either, which is fantastic news. Colours have been introduced with the 2Gb model being available in silver only, the 4Gb being available in silver, green, blue and pink, and the new higher capacity 8Gb model in a sexy black. All have this wicked metallic look.
Back to the packaging a moment, before I tell you even more about the latest Nano. I always trump on and on about the ‘Apple buying experience’ and yet again, unpacking this baby is no different, everything is packaged impeccably, the iPod lifts out and you are presented with two fold out pieces of card, which reveal a tiny quick start booklet, the new style headphones, usb connector and dock adapter. All so neatly positioned you wonder just how they do it.
Now, back to the Nano, and connecting it to my Mac for the first time presented me with a software update, which I installed, then left it charging a little while before syncing with my iTunes application.
I already own a 60Gb iPod myself, so my iTunes library is quite large, so when I connected the Nano, iTunes warned me that my library would not all fit and gave me the option of the application creating a Nano playlist for me, I took this option for speed and let iTunes select the songs for me. The actually capacity for files on the 4Gb silver model I am reviewing is 3.68Gb, the remainder being taken up with system files etc. So I set the files transferring and it pushed 698 MP3’s across to the Nano in about 12 minutes, which to me is totally acceptable. I made a few changes to the playlist and re-synced and was ready to play... to download the full review click here.
Product supplied by Apple UK.
Retail price: £129.00 (4Gb model)
Contact: 0800 039 1010
Link to product.
Look inside the Mac Pro with Macworld
I found this nice look inside the new Apple Mac Pro on Youtube, courtesy of Macworld.
Well worth a look !
i-deck compact - Get That iPod Pumping
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Having an iPod is something I have been lucky enough to be party to from the second generation release onwards, so I have enjoyed the simplicity in design, the superb interface, the usefulness and the power for many years. I use my iPod every day for music and podcasts mainly, but the odd video crops up every now and again.About a year ago I invested in two separate speaker systems for my iPod in quick succession, the first I will not name, the second by Logitech was good and I still have it now. So it was with much excitement that I had the opportunity to review the ‘i-deck compact’, not only because it promised to be a step up from what I had been used to, but also because it is manufactured by Monitor Audio, who just happen to also make the home cinema speakers that I have now enjoyed in my lounge for the last two years.
You will hear many Apple devotees talk about how unpacking an Apple product is all part of the experience, the way things are cable tied, the box design, clever packaging and the smell. Yes, it sounds obsessive, but when you experience it you will know what I mean. Well, the i-deck compact gave that same feeling. OK, it was a big box, but the wrapping was perfect and unveiling the glossy white casing instantly made me very confident of the product.
This is a weighty unit and measures 42cm in length, which is great as is enhances stereo separation. The amplifier delivers 15 watts per channel, so when I say this thing goes loud, I mean LOUD !
The design of the unit is no less than ‘spot on’ sporting nice curves and that all important glossy white finish. The grey grills that cover the speakers are of a very fine mesh and compliment the overall design of the unit. For those of you with a black iPod, the ‘ideck compact’ is also available in black with black speaker grills.
Around the back, the unit is finished in silver and it sports the power socket, a connector for running to your Mac or PC so you can sync your iPod when it is connected to the ideck, a composite video ouput, s-video output and a 3.5mm stereo input jack, so you can connect other audio devices with the supplied cable to the ideck if you so wish. There is also an optional 12V car adaptor available, so you could use this whilst travelling or on holiday. Also in the box you will find a selection of dock adapters, that snap nice and easily into the unit, they allow a nice snug fit for all of the current iPod range.
Down & Dirty
Enough of describing the ideck to you, let’s get this baby powered up... to download the full review complete with more product images click here.
Product supplied by Monitor Audio UK
Retail price: £149.00
Contact: 01268 740580
Link to product.
Upcoming Reviews - What a busy month
Wow, it has been a busy September so far, with absolutely tonnes of new products to report on and review. I hope you are all enjoying the reviews that have been appearing on Geekanoids and that they give you a good insight into if you should splash your cash.
Over the next few weeks, we have some great product reviews lined up, so in no particular order, here is the rundown:
How to Get Rich Quick - book by Felix Dennis.
Apple's 2G iPod Nano (4Gb model).
Griffin iTrip Auto - now legal in the UK.
Lineform - by Freeverse, a nice alternative to Illustrator.
M-Audio Podcast Factory.
Netgear DG834N - wireless ADSL2+ modem router.
Extensis Suitcase Fusion.
Extensis Portfolio 8.
Buffalo LinkStation Pro - 320Gb NAS hard drive.
Fujitsu ScanSnap S500 & Scantango OSX Driver Software.
As you can see, things are going to be very busy, so keep coming back to Geekanoids and check out all my hard work, enjoy !
Seitz 6x17 Digital Camera - 160 million pixels
Wow, now that is what I call a digital camera. Check out the Seitz website for details of a new digital camera that delivers 160 million pixel images. An uncompressed panorama weighs in at 950Mb so if you have a 1Gb memory card, that is one snap per card. Just kidding, storage is supplied by a Mac Mini in a bag, just check out their website for some images of what this awesome set-up looks like.
Lacie bump FA Porsche Hard Drive to 500Gb
For many years now I have been a fan (and user) of Lacie hard drives. They have always proved to be reliable and the build quality is superb. If you ever need to ask them a question, support is very good too, so I was please to learn that on September 12th, LaCie today announced increased capacities for its LaCie Hard Drives Design by F.A. Porsche. Quote from press release, "New drives reach a phenomenal 500GB in a small, sleek case created exclusively for LaCie by the renowned agency Porsche Design GmbH. Exhibiting world-class style and elite performance, LaCie Hard Drives Design by F.A. Porsche allow people to easily add massive storage to a desktop computer. New USB drives are shipping now, and FireWire drives ship in October."LaCie Senior Product Manager Olivier Mirloup said, "LaCie’s awarded Design by F.A. Porsche hard drives are quiet, easy to carry and stack, and now have some of the largest capacities available at a low price per gigabyte. These drives are the fastest, easiest way to add storage to your computer, making room for lots of additional video, audio and music files. And our 1-Click Backup Software simplifies data protection.”
LaCie Hard Drives Design by F.A. Porsche offer the choice of a USB or FireWire interface for use with Windows, Mac OS or Linux. Cables are included for immediate use. Drives are durable and lightweight for transporting from one machine to another, and multiple drives can be stacked thanks to secure rubber feet underneath.
I hope to bring you a full review of a Lacie offering very soon.
Link to new 500Gb Hard Drive.
TechTool Pro Review - Protect your Mac
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Having the knowledge that your Mac is safe and secure is a good thing, backing up is also a must nowadays (even before we get Apple's Time Machine), but what about keeping your system in top condition, looking out for hard drive problems, recovering data in the event of corruption, or even having a method of recovering your system if OSX goes all wonky on you. Well, there are many applications out there, but only a few that users rely on and MicroMat's Techtool Pro is the latest of the bunch.Inside the box you get the install DVD and a printed (yes I said printed) manual. Many applications come with online or PDF manuals nowadays, so it is nice to see a really good manual to guide you through the process.
Installation was really straightforward (screenshot 1) and you are also given an uninstall option, should you wish to use it (very doubtful, but nice to see it). The version reviewed here is 4.5.1 which is the latest Universal Binary release. A restart is required to complete the install and you are also prompted to test that your Mac actually boots from the install DVD, in case you need to do this at a later date. For my testing I was using an Apple MacBook 2GHz laptop and I am happy to report that it booted fine (and fairly snappily) from the DVD. To note, this DVD is 'Dual Boot' so should work fine with both Intel and PowerPC based Macs. Also on the DVD is a disk image for version 4.1.2 which should give earlier compatibility, should you need it.
On first run you are asked to personalise the TechTool Pro with your name and serial number and to register it online. The whole process takes just a few minutes and is well worth doing.
The main screen (screenshot 2) presents you with five icons across the top, clicking on each expands the window to show the options in each category. I will run through each in turn, but feel I should jump to a feature that is very important, that I have previous knowledge of.
The Knowledge
Clicking on the 'Tools' icon gives you six new options (screenshot 3). I will cover all the other options later on, but here I want to run you through 'eDrive'. When first clicking the 'Tools' icon you are prompted to only run things in this section when connected to the mains power, this is a safeguard worth noting, as you definitely do not want your laptop to switch off whilst performing a task.
Now, to put it simply 'eDrive' creates a mini partition (about 4Gb required) of Mac OSX and a copy of TechTool pro. This means that should you system crash and become unusable, you will be able to boot from your 'eDrive' without the need for a bootable CD or DVD. It is also worth noting that if you have updated your main TechTool Pro application, you can also update your eDrive too, so this would supersede a bootable CD or DVD anyway.
The procedure is simple, click the 'Go' arrow next to 'eDrive' and you are presented with a window (screenshot 4) where you select a destination for your bootable 'eDrive' and the source drive (which contains your OS). It is worth noting that you do not need to create a 4Gb partition for this procedure as TechTool Pro does this all for you. In my tests, it took nine minutes to create my MacBook's eDrive, which is pretty fast. I used an external firewire mini hard drive, running at 5400rpm, but you can create your eDrive actually on your Macs internal hard drive, or any drive physically connected to your Mac.
The process creates a small partition on your hard drive which contains a basic OSX install, the TechTool Pro application and a few other applications, such as Safari, Disk Utility, Console etc. All of your other applications are stripped out, which is good to see... to download the full review complete with screenshots click here.
Product supplied by Micromat Inc.
Retail price: $98.00
Contact: 1-800-829-6227
Link to product.
Bargain 128Mb SanDisk Memory Stick Duo
Monday, September 18, 2006
Not one to really post bargains to the site, but I came across this at www.bigpockets.co.uk and just had to let you all know. It is a SanDisk 128Mb Memory Stick Duo, suitable if you want a bit of quick storage for your Sony PSP or compatible digital camera. At £3.99 plus only £1.09 postage, this has gotta be worth picking up.Link to product.
FileMaker Pro 8.5 Review - Power to your Data
To be honest, reviewing FileMaker Pro 8.5 scared the hell out of me, not because of how powerful the application promised to be and believe me it is not an overcomplex application, but because I really wanted to do it justice. I have used the Mac for many years now and have collected data in a variety of ways, but have never spent the time to sit down with FileMaker and learn if it could really work for me.So for those not in the the know, what is FileMaker? Well, in the simplest of forms it allows you to create a database such as an address list, or pushing a little further perhaps details of what you sell in your shop. Perhaps you run a club, so keeping track of members details and subscription status is important. For this type of data you need look no further.
If you want an application that pushes the boundaries further still, then FileMaker Pro also allows the creation of very complex databases, that use multiple tables, often referred to as ‘Relational Databases’ these can cross reference each other and work together.
Creating a database is easy, much better if you plan it first, perhaps on a piece of paper. Make a note of the information you need to store, such as name, address, town, city, postcode, member number, subscription rate, renewal date etc. The excellent manual walks you through the planning process and step-by-step instructions for entering fields within the application (see screenshot 1). You can even simplify the process by basing your database on a template (see screenshot 2), some are supplied and installed with the application, many extra ones are available as free downloads, with specialist solutions offered by many companies. So if you need something specific and do not have the time or knowledge to put it together yourself, then a bit of searching will normally find you someone who can.
Once you have set up all your fields you can create a nice on-screen layout for your database. This is done in layout mode, where you can create multiple layouts for the same database, by simply dragging elements around, adding background colours, even importing a picture into the header (screenshot 3). In just five minutes it is possible to create something very pleasing to the eye (screenshot 4) with the minimum of effort... to download the full review complete with screenshots click here.
Product supplied by FileMaker UK.
Retail price: £219 (ex. VAT)
Contact: 0845 603 9100
Link to product.
Shrink your PDF files the 'PDF Shrink' way !
Sunday, September 17, 2006
For someone who spends most of his time evaluating products and writing reviews, it is always nice to have a passion for what I am reviewing, that is what makes my job a pleasure to do. Having been involved in graphic design and the publishing industry for many years, it made me very happy to find Apago's PDF Shrink (version 4) universal binary software.Apago are by no means a new company, they were founded in 1991. The North Atlanta based company offer a wide range of software solutions, mainly based around PDF workflow and manipulation, with a few other bits thrown in for good measure.
PDF Shrink is probably the most appropriate software I could look at, as the past few months I have been producing the downloadable (and printable) version of the reviews that appear on Geekanoids. With so many reviews going onto the website, size is very important, without compromising on quality. Toward the end of this review, instead of the regular download, you will find two options, one created in my normal workflow with Quark Xpress, the second was optimised with PDF Shrink.
So to kick off, let us take a look at how PDF Shrink presents itself to the user on first launch. The main window (screenshot 1) has a row of icons across the top, these are mainly used for creating various PDF settings. They are all pretty self explanatory, so I will not insult you with the obvious. Of interest are the 'New', 'Save Droplet' and 'Save PDF Service' buttons.
'New' allows you to create a preset PDF workflow, where you can specify the settings in one of two modes. 'Basic' shown in screenshot 2 allows you to make the settings by clicking options that appear in plain English, this is a great idea and allows most non-tech users to be up and running in no time. You can choose how the resulting PDF file is going to used, which viewer will likely be used to read the PDF, security settings (password protection etc), how the file will be saved (you can even add a suffix to the resulting filenames), the last option is saving, where you can assign an icon and description to the workflow you are creating.
Clicking the 'Advanced' button toward the bottom of this window (see screenshot 3) allows you to make the same sort of settings, but with options that would make more sense to the more advanced user. So for example, instead of choosing how the PDF is going to be used (to post on a website for example), you would choose the resolution, type of compression and amount of compression.
Once you have made all the settings you require, the name and icon for the workflow appears in the main window, ready to use. If you look back at screenshot 1, you will see settings for Email, Print, Web Reviews and Web. All of these are preset into PDF Shrink when you first launch it, with the exception of 'Web Reviews' which I created to test how the procedure worked... to download the full review (PDF created by Quark Xpress) click here.
... to download the full review (PDF processed with PDF Shrink) click here.
Product supplied by Apago Inc.
Retail price: $35
Contact: 770-619-1884
Link to product.
NAS or Mini Server - food for thought !
Saturday, September 16, 2006
For a long time now I have been considering some network storage. My setup consists of a desktop machine (iMac DC) and a MacBook, which I use for a lot of surfing, downloading, posting to Geekanoids etc.
Now many NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices support the Mac platform in one way or another, but many reviews compain of performance problems, so I really wanted to avoid this. My main aim is to have somewhere central that I could store all the images I download, so that when I come to put a review together, all my files are in one central place.
It has come down to two choices, both of which have their own merits. First up is something like a Buffalo Linkstation Pro, which would give me a one box solution, I can leave it on all the time and have access to it from both my iMac and MacBook. The second option is a Mac Mini, to which I can connect one of my many existing USB or FireWire hard drives. This is a more expensive option, but performance should be better, it gives me more control and also a spare Mac to use should I need to.
I could do this with minimal expense with my current iMac, but the only thing stopping me is that I do not want to leave my iMac on 24/7.
So what do you all think, your comments are welcome.
Griffin PowerBlock - Juice up your iPod !
Thursday, September 14, 2006
We all know how great the iPod is and how it is a runaway success for Apple. I love my iPod, having owned most of the generations released, but with the later versions charging became more and more tied to a computer rather than a power socket. If I want to pump some juice into my iPod, I do not really want to go to my computer (if I am at home), power-up and plug in. This is fine if I am synchronising it to iTunes, but I want just the extra battery power.The PowerBlock from Griffin Technology offers me just the solution I need, it is a very simple, compact device that sports a two prong plug with a USB connector on it. The supplied USB cable then plugs into the unit and into the dock connector on my iPod. It works worldwide too, accepting 110v to 240v and will charge any iPod with a dock connector. These include the iPod Mini, 4th generation iPod, iPod Photo, iPod Nano and the latest iPod with Video (5g). I assume that it will also work with the new 2G Nano as this also sports the standard dock connector. Another point of reference is the output rating, which is 5.0V 500mA, so if you have a device other than an iPod that charges via USB with this rating, there is no reason why you cannot use the PowerBlock to charge this too.
It is the compact size of the PowerBlock that wins out for me, even the two prongs of the plug fold down when not in use. A tiny unit measuring about 6x4.5x2cm and weighing virtually nothing is ideal for travelling around with.
In conclusion, if you want to keep your iPod topped up with juice and need something that is suitable for worldwide use, then look no further than the PowerBlock. It is neat, very compact, ultra light and does exactly what is says on the box.
To download a printable version of review click here.
Product supplied by Griffin Technology.
Retail price: $29.99
Contact: 615-399-7000
Link to product.
Apple iLife 06 - Superb Value for Money
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Buy a new Apple Macintosh and for a long time now you have been treated to a suite of new software that comes as part of their iLife suite of applications. Many writers and Mac fans praise the extra value this adds to a product when compared to a PC counterpart and yes, I have to agree, it does add up. The main argument Mac users seem to bandy around is that the software you get with a PC is often trial software, lite versions, subscription based, or so totally useless that it would be a lot better if it were not even installed. Whereas the iLife suite of applications a fully featured and very useful apps.So what if you have an older Mac that did not include iLife, or perhaps you have a very old version and want to get up-to-date. Well, iLife is available to purchase and what I want to look at here is what you get for your money and if it is worth the £55 asking price.
I also wanted to see how the applications behaved on an older machine, so have installed the software on a 400MHz G4 PowerMac as well as a newer 1.8GHz G5. Let me get the installation out of the way first, as it really does not need writing home about, other than to say that Apple makes installing software very easy and intuitive, everything installed on both machines and updated without a hitch, with the exception of iDVD, which could not be installed on the G$ due to system requirements.
To kick off, iPhoto 6 is probably one of the most recognisable Apple products. Many people conceive this as an organisational tool for your photos and yes it is, but it is so much more besides. Attaching your digital camera or memory card to your Mac sets iPhoto into action and you are presented with some import options. Once the photos are on your Mac you can scroll through them, organise them, assign category keywords. Where iPhoto takes things more than one step further is as follows... to download the full review click here.
Product supplied by Apple UK.
Retail price: £55 (single user) : £69 (5 user family pack)
Contact: 0800 039 1010
Link to product.
New iTunes 7 ! But no movies for the UK !
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Apple® today announced iTunes® 7, the most significant enhancement to the world’s most popular music jukebox and online music and video store since it debuted in 2001. iTunes 7 delivers stunning new features such as the new album and Cover Flow views of music, TV shows and movies, enabling users to quickly find titles in their library as well as casually browse through and re-discover titles they already own. In addition, the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) is now offering over 75 movies from Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films, that customers can purchase and download to watch on their computers and iPods, and soon on their flat screen televisions with Apple’s upcoming iTV* player. Movies will become available on the iTunes Store the same day they are released on DVD, with new releases priced at $12.99 when pre-ordered and during their first week of availability, and $14.99 thereafter, and library titles available for just $9.99 every day. “Here we go again! First music, then TV shows, and now movies,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “In less than one year we’ve grown from offering just five TV shows to offering over 220 TV shows, and we hope to do the same with movies. iTunes is selling over one million videos a week, and we hope to match this with movies in less than a year.”
“ABC and Disney Channel were the first networks to offer television programming on iTunes, and we’re once again breaking new ground as The Walt Disney Studios becomes the first to debut feature films on the iTunes platform,” said Robert Iger, president and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “Disney is committed to providing innovative ways for audiences to enjoy their favorite entertainment content, and our association with Apple is yet another example of how we continue to reach consumers on their terms, regardless the time, location or device.”
“Steve Jobs and Apple have consistently demonstrated that they have their finger on the pulse of today’s audience with regard to legal downloads of music and television shows, and our presence on iTunes will now allow us to deliver Disney’s films in this popular and convenient format,” said Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “Not only are we proud to be expanding our association with Apple, but we feel that this new venture meets a growing demand for movie viewing that will ultimately expand the market for our films.”
The iTunes Store has quickly become the world’s most popular video download store, selling over one million videos per week. The iTunes Store began selling TV shows with five shows from ABC/Disney less than a year ago, in October 2005, and rapidly expanded its library to over 220 television shows from over 40 networks today. The iTunes Store also features the world’s largest catalog of online music with over 3.5 million songs and has sold a stunning 1.5 billion songs, making it the world’s most popular digital music store.
The iTunes Store now features great new releases and library titles from Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films, such as “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Shakespeare in Love,” “The Princess Diaries,” “The Incredibles,” “National Treasure,” “Toy Story,” “The Rock” and “The Rookie.” Customers can purchase and download movies from iTunes the same day they become available on DVD, or pre-order upcoming movies which are automatically downloaded when they become available. Customers get the same great one-click download experience for movies that they enjoy with music and TV shows.
With iTunes 7, all videos purchased from the iTunes Store are downloaded in near-DVD quality at a resolution of 640x480 (up to 480, depending on the aspect ratio), which is four times higher than before. Downloaded videos can be played on computers and iPods. iTunes 7 also includes new features to better organize and enjoy digital music and video, including expanded parental controls, an iTunes video playback window with on-screen controls, and the new Cover Flow view that lets you visually browse your entire video collection by cover artwork.
The iTunes Store now also offers downloads of popular video games for fifth generation iPods, including “Tetris,” “Mahjong” and “Mini Golf” from Electronic Arts Inc.; “Pac-Man” from Namco Networks America Inc.; “Cubis 2” from FreshGames, LLC; “Bejeweled” and “Zuma” from PopCap Games, Inc.; “Texas Hold’em” and “Vortex” developed by Apple, all available beginning today for $4.99 each.
With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as integrated podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod® and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Store is the best way for Mac® and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and video online.
Pricing & Availability
iTunes 7 for Mac and Windows includes the iTunes Store and is available as a free download immediately from www.itunes.com. Purchase and download of content from the iTunes Store for Mac or Windows requires a valid credit card with a billing address in the country of purchase. Television shows and feature films are available in the US only, and video availability varies by country. Games are available for download in the 21 countries in which iTunes operates and play on the fifth generation iPod. New release feature films are $14.99 (US) each and other feature-length films are $9.99 (US) each, television shows are $1.99 (US) per episode, music videos and short films are $1.99 (US) each and games are $4.99 (US) each.
* iTV is the project’s internal code name and will not be the final product name.
New revised iPods - 80Gb and brighter too !
Apple® today introduced the new iPod®, the best digital music player and most popular portable video player in the world. The new iPod features a 60 percent brighter and more vibrant 2.5-inch color display perfect for watching TV shows and now Hollywood movies right in the palm of your hand. The new iPod features seamless integration with iTunes® 7 and the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) which now includes over 75 Hollywood movies, 220 television shows and popular video games designed specifically for the fifth generation iPod. The new iPod is available in a 30GB model at the new low price of £189 and an 80GB model, which holds up to 20,000 songs or 100 hours of video, for £259. “The world’s best digital music player has evolved into the world’s most popular portable video player too,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “The new iPod’s brighter and more vibrant display and longer battery life make it perfect for watching Hollywood movies and TV shows right in the palm of your hand.”
The new iPod features Apple’s patented Click Wheel for precise, one-handed navigation, and is seamlessly integrated with iTunes 7 which now features gapless playback for enjoying albums the way they were intended to be listened to. iPod’s new Search and Quick Scroll feature makes it even easier for music fans to find exactly what they are looking for and Apple’s patent pending Auto-Sync technology automatically downloads digital music, podcasts, photos, audiobooks, movies, music videos and popular TV shows onto the iPod and keeps them up-to-date whenever the iPod is plugged into a Mac® or Windows computer.
With its stunning high-resolution color display, iPod allows users to view album art and photo slideshows while playing music, or watch video and play games in full color. Popular video games designed specifically for the fifth generation iPod include: “Bejeweled,” “Cubis 2,” “Mahjong,” “Mini Golf,” “Pac-Man,” “Tetris,” “Texas Hold’em,” “Vortex” and “Zuma,” and are available for purchase on the iTunes Store.
The 30GB model features up to 14 hours of battery life for music playback and up to three and a half hours of video playback, and the 80GB model features up to 20 hours of battery life for music playback and five and a half hours of video playback.* The new iPod features brightness control allowing users to easily change the brightness.
Pricing & Availability
The new iPod models are available worldwide through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The new 30GB iPod model in white or black is available for £189, and the new 80GB model in white or black is available for £259. All iPod models include redesigned earbud headphones providing superior comfort, fit and sound quality, and a USB 2.0 cable.
New Nanos from Apple - Multicoloured
Apple made so many announcements today, most excited about the new colour Nanos.From the Apple website:
"Completely Remastered" - A thinner design. Five stylish colors. A brighter display. Up to 24 hours of battery life. Just about the only thing that hasn’t changed is the name. In 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB models starting at £99, iPod nano puts up to 2,000 songs in your pocket.
Your music says a lot about you. So should your iPod nano. A super-slim design says you always have room for music — up to 2,000 songs, in fact. Durable anodized aluminum says you won’t let the rough and tumble of everyday life ruin your groove. And one of five colors says whatever you want. Choose your hue and make a statement.
The black Nano is the king of the bunch and comes in 8Gb only at £169.00 with all available and shipping within 24 hours.
New Sneak Peek Apple Set-top Box iTV
So it seems I got another one right, a set-top box from Apple. Like the Mac Mini everyone originally wanted. This is a new typ of announcement for Apple as this new product is a glimpse of the future, to be available in 2007. They have never pre-announced anything like this before, so good on them for their openess. It will be half the size of the Mini with USB, ethernet, wifi and that all important HDMI port. Plus component video, stereo analogue audio and optical audio outputs.
Now onto the name 'iTV', this is great, but I am sure that ITV in the UK will have something to say about it, or will Apple win out by more or less owning the letter 'i' ? The name is only a work-in-progress, so I assume they will change it to something snappier.
It also sounds like this device will not record, rather it is the updated Video Airport Express I posted about earlier, so streaming, rather than recording content... more details as they unfold. [MacRumors]
Movies here today
So one prediction seems to have come to fruition with the announcement of movies available from the iTunes store from Walt Disney, Pixar, Touchstone, Miramax (please note these are all Disney owned). Good news this is for the US, for us in the UK we will have to wait until next year... this is a big shame, as a worldwide rollout would be the ace in the pack.
It seems at this stage we will not see a new Video iPod and I suspect this will not come until suitable content is available worldwide, as this would effect sales.
iPod Shuffle gets an update too
Well well well, I really thought Apple would kill off the Shuffle, what with the Nano being so small and all that jazz. Big surprise is a new second generation Shuffle, smaller (about the size of the iPod/iMac Remote and in an aluminium finish. One size only and it is 1Gb. [MacRumors]
Nano in colours
So it seems as though we will not be seeing a Video iPod, but we will be seeing a new aluminium metal finish iPod Nano, plus a selection of five different colours. Green, silver, black, blue and pink, along with the new metal finish. Plus a new 8Gb version in black only (seems like black is bein favoured like the MacBook for top of the range Apple products). [Engadget]
New iPod from Apple... no, just enhancements
Early reports are coming through that the full size iPod is being enhanced, rather than replaced by a new Video iPod. This is a shame, but I may well update this post should news surface that a new model is in fact coming out. The enhancements include a brighter screen.
It's Showtime - 5 minutes and counting!
So everyone is filtering in to the Apple event and the talk in the line is about the Video iPod, will they? won't they? the anticipation is almost unbearable. [engadget]
It's Showtime - Apple special event almost here!
OK, so it is just 3.5 hours to Apple's Media Event (6pm UK time) and I am getting excited. Not normally one to post rumours I just could not help myself let you all know my predictions, some are in agreement with others, with a few thrown in from myself at the end, so here goes.
- iTunes Store: This is now down showing an 'It's Showtime' message. I think the exclusion of the word 'Music' in this message means it is a forgone conclusion that Apple will announce Movie Downloads. I am hoping for some good big movies, but I think we will only see something like 'Disney with more to follow.
- Video iPod: This will be Steve's main product announcement. My take on it is a full screen, touch sensitive, slightly bigger than current iPod. It will also be all black or all white, no shiny metal back, as we all hate fingerprints.
- Video Dock: The best new accessory for your NEW Video iPod... will allow you to dock your new Video iPod and record from any source (Sky or Cable), then play back directly on the iPod... or synchronise with iTunes and you can playback on your Mac... or DockiT and you can play back on your TV. Wow !
- AirPort Video: We thought all the announcements had been done when the famous "One More Thing..." comes from Steve. The AirPort Video allows you to record on your Mac and stream the recordings to your TV. A very sleek box, with three status lights so you know what is happening at the Mac end of things in case it is in a different room.
That's it for now, enjoy !
New 24inch iMac - too much for my bank !
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Sorry for the lack of posting this week, I am on a well earned holiday, but have sneaked into an internet lounge just to make this quick post, a bit late for hot news, but here it is for you to enjoy. Shame my bank balance won't allow me to buy 24 inches of real estate.September 6, 2006—Apple® today announced that its entire iMac® line now features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor in every model, delivering up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous iMac.* A new 24-inch iMac with a brilliant 24-inch widescreen display joins the 17- and 20-inch models, and iMac prices now start at just £679 (inc. VAT). Every new iMac includes a built-in iSight™ video camera for video conferencing out-of-the-box; Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience; and iLife® ‘06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications.
“Every iMac—from the £679 model up through the new dazzling 24-inch widescreen model—now features blazing Core 2 Duo performance,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “And the new 24-inch widescreen iMac is the fastest, biggest and brightest iMac we’ve ever made.”
The new iMac lineup includes four models: a 1.83 GHz and a 2.0 GHz 17-inch, a 2.16 GHz 20-inch and the all-new 2.16 GHz 24-inch iMac, and features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor which delivers up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous 20-inch iMac running industry standard benchmarks.
Ideal for both consumers and professionals, the 24-inch iMac features a 24-inch widescreen LCD display with a 1920-by-1200 pixel resolution that offers 30 percent more screen real estate than the 20-inch model and a brighter display to make reading text and viewing images even easier. The all-new 24-inch iMac packs professional performance into the convenience of an all-in-one design and includes a 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB of shared L2 cache, 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory, a 250GB Serial ATA hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics with 128MB of GDDR3 memory and a SuperDrive™ for burning professional-quality DVDs. Delivering greater customisation for performance and expansion needs, users can configure the new 24-inch iMac with a 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 3GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory, a 500GB Serial ATA hard drive and the NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT with 256MB of GDDR3 memory for outstanding graphics performance.
All I can add is wow !
iColour your Apple Laptop
Sunday, September 03, 2006
If you fancy making your Apple Laptop a bit more individual and you have the guts to do what looks like a very simple install, then point your browser over to iColours. For just $3.99 (with free worldwide shipping) you can get a snazzy blue filter for your iBook, PowerBook, MacBook or MacBook Pro logo. The new MacBook incarnations are untested, so if you have any info on these then add it to the comments section on Geekanoids and pop iColours an email.Link to iColours.ca
NAS Storage for Macintosh
Friday, September 01, 2006
For a long time now I have been listening to and researching various discussions about suitable Network Attached Storage devices (NAS) for the Apple Mac. Well, stepping up the chase for information I came across this offering from Iomega (long time fan).The Iomega StorCenter looks very interesting indeed and quote Mac compatibility. From the Iomega website... "The Iomega StorCenter Network Hard Drives provide a central location for sharing and protecting your data (up to 500 GB) across your home or small office network. Without adding the cost and complexity of a server, you can now share and store your critical files, photos, music and video from any standard or wireless computer."
- 500 GB capacity (2x 250 GB)
- 2 host USB 2.0 for printer sharing and.capacity expansion
- RAID 0 (striping) and 1 (data mirroring)
Pinnacle Announces Enhanced Podcast Factory
Pinnacle Systems today announced the availability of an enhanced version of Pinnacle Podcast Factory, which includes localised and easy-to-use software for recording and editing podcasts, adding music, and creating and publishing MP3 files with RSS feeds. This complete solution to create great-sounding audio podcasts also includes a localised video tutorial, all in a brand new packaging design.“According to FeedBurner, nowadays there are more podcasts than radio stations worldwide, with more than 60,000 podcast feeds and a growing podcast circulation at a rate of nearly 20% per month.” said David Barnby, Vice President Sales and Marketing for EMEA. “This shows that many people are eager to communicate with the world, but the primary obstacle has been the relative complexity of putting together the different pieces of hardware and software required to produce and distribute a professional-quality recording. Pinnacle Podcast Factory removes this barrier.”
Pinnacle Podcast Factory is powered by M-Audio, another leading brand from Avid. M-Audio is renowned for its music creation products on which professional recording studios have been relying for years. Pinnacle Podcast Factory is an all-in-one hardware/software solution compatible with both PC and Mac, and includes:
· Broadcast-quality microphone and professional 24-bit/48kHz USB audio interface for making top-notch recordings of voice and live music
· Audacity software, to easily record and edit podcasts and create radio-style productions that integrate speech, music and sound effects, simply by dragging and dropping
· Podifier software, a simple to use application that automates the creation of an RSS feed, processes the MP3 files, and uploads them to a server
Localised video tutorial in 6 languages and 16 tutorials (pdf)
Price & Availability
Pinnacle Podcast Factory will be available from mid September through the Pinnacle Website at www.pinnaclesys.com and at most major retailers and e-tailers such as www.amazon.co.uk and www.dabs.com. It carries an SRP of £99.99.
We hope to bring you a review of this package, check back soon.
The Authors
Dave
Dave has been in the graphic design industry for 14 years. Long time reviewer of technology related products, he is Owner/Editor of Geekanoids.
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This site covers all the latest Macintosh, technology & gadget related news. We also bring our readers thorough, unbiased reviews of computer software, hardware & peripherals, with some alternative products thrown into the mix.
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