Get Your External Storage On with the PSP

Need more room for porn movies and homebrew games on your PSP but don't feel like shelling out bucks for Sony Memory Sticks when you have a 2GB CF at home already? Don't fret, the Chinese are here to help you with cheap plastic attachments for the PSP! The Neo 2in1 and 4in1 are memory card reader add-ons for the PSP that will read up to 4GB CF, SD, and MMC cards. The Neo 5in1 adds a battery pack with AA battery support and USB ports for connectivity. They're all available now and range in price from $80 to $100. An excellent storage solution for the PSP, especially if you've got extra cards lying around in different formats. More »

iPod shuffle Sold Out—New shuffle in the Works?

Whoa there. Looks like Apple is doing pretty well this holiday season with the 1GB iPod shuffle completely sold out on their online store. The next date they'll be available? Mid-January. Which is also the time Apple is scheduled to release the Intel iBook and possibly a smaller version of the shuffle. So the timing seems to work out quite nicely, if you ask me. If you were just dying for a 1GB iPod shuffle this holiday season, try shopping around at a retailer such as Target, Best Buy, etc. and you may find one. The 512MB is still available for now, so grab one if you're worried. More »

Zen Vision:M Verdict: Big Props

Ok Creative, it looks like your Zen Vision:M has scored pretty nicely with the geek squads at both Cnet Asia and Generation MP3. Both reviews believe this is a real competitor to the Video iPod in both look, feel and tech, though nothing ever compares to Apple in the design area. Both agree that even thought the Zen is a little more expensive (both players have a 30GB hard drive), the Vision:M is more complete with its adapter, which is only an option (for around $30) on the iPod. With a large scroll wheel for better navigation and backlit buttons, the system seems easy to use and intuitive. But it's the screen that catches attention. Yes, it's 2.5 inches like the iPod, but the 262,144-pixel LCD scores big props, giving you crisp, sharp pictures. And the brightness can be adjusted when you switch environments. In terms of codecs, Creative has substantial support, which lets you play almost any of your digital content immediately. And guess what? You also get a FM radio, voice/FM recording, picture viewing and the option to sync Microsoft Outlook data (one way only) as well as output video to an external display, which is a nice list of extra features. A search feature with keyword search makes it easy to look for specific content, though one lament is the lack of a ripping software to digitize DVDs. Creative MediaSource content manager software is bundled together with an enhanced Windows Explorer interface though you're welcome to use Windows Media Player 10. The one big miss seems to be connectivity. With no built-in mini USB port or AC jack, the Vision:M instead has a proprietary port, which means you'll have to attach an external sync adapter every time you want to charge the unit or connect it to a computer. Kind of annoying. So, as of now, we are getting a general thumbs up for this PMP, in both audio and video, though reviews are still being formulated. Hopefully you'll get to check one out yourself soon. And remember, pre-orders have started at Amazon.com. More »

Mio A201 GPS and PDA in One

Is the Mio A201 a GPDA or PDPS, because this PDA that is designed to function as a GPS sure needs a new acronym. Being touted as the first Pocket PC with integrated GPS receiver, it's got a 20-channel SirfStar III GPS chipset as well as Microsoft Windows Mobile on board and features such as Outlook Mobile Contacts and Calendar, Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile, games and Windows Media Player. There is a rotating GPS antenna for navigating in both portrait mode or landscape mode, and you can swap screens just by rotating the antenna or touching a button. Because it's a PDA, you can choose what kind of navigational software you want to use, whether for street or survey mapping, and it will work with any software compatible with Windows Mobile 5. The latest version of the Mio Map software, version 2 for Pocket PC, will be bundled in with the price. Of course the beauty of this product is its portability, letting you take it on camping trips, use it in the car or just bring it with you when you're walking the streets of a new city and want to make it very clear that you are carrying an expensive device worth stealing. Hopefully your insurance will cover the full $460. Also included is power adapter, car charger, USB sync cable, car mount and carry case. More »

Sanho HyperDrive Mini

From a company called Sanho Electronics (umm hmmm...) comes a product called HyperDrive Mini. Being touted as the world's fastest, smallest and lightest memory card backup device, it's powered by a high capacity li-ion battery and offers up 30GB of space. It accepts eight kinds of memory card formats and, get this, also includes a built-in MP3/WMA player. More »

Samsung XM Satellite/MP3 Player

We've seen Dell's foray into MP3/Satellite radio territory, now Samsung is getting into the groove by announcing its neXus XM Satellite Radio/MP3 Player using XM's Connect & Play technology. Look for a 512MB and a 1GB product—each includes a XM Satellite Radio home docking kit which lets you get XM Satellite Radio in your living room. Like the Dell, content can only be stored on the product when it's connected to a docking station, but that content can be listened to anywhere. I mean, can't we do something about this? What about live, portable satellite radio, goddamnit? How long do we have to wait for that from a portable, combination MP3 player? You people are starting to piss me off. More »

The MiniDisc That Wouldn't Die (Literally)

We try and try to keep ignoring MiniDisc. We really do. But it just keeps coming back to life right when we think it might be dead. This time around it's going to be a bit harder with these JVC XM-C37 players because the battery life is absolutely insane. With a full charge, you'll be able to get 305 hours out of the battery. That's 12.7 days of uninterrupted MiniDisc action. Don't have that much time and still want your tunes? A 20-minute charge nets you 15 hours of battery life. Looks like the only way MiniDisc can compete in an MP3-dominated market is to showcase its absolutely nutty battery life. More »

D-Link Wireless Music Player

The tiny MediaLounge DSM-120 Wireless Music Player uses 802.11b/g wireless or a wired network to stream your whole PC-based music library to another computer or any hi-fi speakers. For easy listening when your computer's off, just attach a USB flash drive or USB hard disk drive to the DSM-120 and play music directly from the external drive or do some tinkering and install a 2.5-inch internal hard disk drive that will let you use bundled D-Link Media Server Software and a utility to transfer your tunes from the computer, or use the One Touch Copy feature to do the same from a USB drive. Whew. That was a lot of stuff. More »

Creative Zen Vision: M - iTurning iJapanese

Oops! After all that hype about a December 8 unveiling, looks like Creative's big product launch was undermined by Japan, where the Zen Vision:M was unearthed a day before its London debut. The product, which is a bit of a mouthful, if you please, is indeed green and white (though it also comes in black and white as well as all-white), has a 30GB hard drive, a 320x240 pixel, 2.5-inch screen with and plays MP3 and WMA-DRM audio files. But, as you may have guessed, it also plays 4 hours of video (or image playback) in MPEG-1/2/4, WMV, Motion JPEG, DivX 4/5 and Xvid formats. Sure, it's a shot at the Video iPod—but it's twice as thick—however, unlike Apple's offering it's got an FM tuner and voice recorder tucked in for good luck. Not a bad little product if you ask me, though maybe the interface does look a little familiar.... More »

100x Write Speeds on Kingston CompactFlash

More speedy CompactFlash news from Kingston with what the company calls the "Ultimate" line of cards. All three CF cards have a sustained write speed of 100x and come in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB storage capacities. Pretty much designed for professional photogs, these CompactFlash cards provide a seamless flow of imaging info from camera to memory card. Basically, it's saying you'll never miss a thing. Sounds like it should be written on an ad somewhere, no? Maybe it is, who knows? All cards come with a lifetime warranty and 24-hour support, seven days a week. They are also compatible with PC Card Type II adapters. The 1GB is $89. 2GB is $159 and 4GB is $289.

Mimobots goSeries

The previous set of Cosmos Mimobots were cute enough to kill kittens and puppies. That's why the goSeries, along with having the ability to make sad clowns happy again, has its own backstory:

we are peaceful and joyful creatures essentially made of electronic silicon providing us with an extraordinary ability in memory. we love to live excessively and to embrace all pleasures that bl h, friendship, and our electronic components can offer.

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