Jabra Releases Two New Headsets: M5390 & BT530 USB

It looks like the Bluetooth headset market has piqued. or at least is the case for Jabra.  Today they released two new Bluetooth headsets, the BT530 and M5390 (pictured above), which aren’t bad looking, but are pretty unremarkable. Feature run down just below.

Jabra M5390 USB

• Up to 200 foot range
• Up to 6 hours talk time, 60 hours standby time
• Plug-and-play Bluetooth connectivity to PC or VoIP
• Comes with Jabra PC Suite with e-hook functionality for Microsoft Office Communicator, Skype and Cisco IP Communicator
• Wideband audio and noise cancelling microphone
• True wideband sound quality
• Two wearing styles (earhook and headband)
• Retails price - $191
• Available January, 2009

Jabra BT530 USB

• Pairs with 8 devices
• Plug-and-play Bluetooth adapter for PC applications and soft-phones
• Includes Jabra PC Suite with VoIP functionality for Skype, Cisco and Microsoft Office Communicator
• Third generation ear gel design available in three sizes and can be worn with or without the earhook for maximum individualized comfort
• The 0.35 ounce headset allows for up to 5.5 hours of talk time, up to 250 hours of standby time, and has a maximum range of 33 feet
• Retails price - $129
• Currently shipping 

A Good Christmas Gift – The Sony MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Canceling Headphones

As Christmas season is approaching we all are looking for the perfect gift to offer to our families and friends. Depending on what their preferences are, it is always possible thanks to nowadays technologyto satisfy their wants. There is indeed a wide variety from which we can choose, but we need to keep in mind whether the gift we offer is something of value and importance for further use. For family members and friends who like listening to music a lot and who travel quite often, the Sony MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Canceling Headphones can be a useful and good Christmas gift. 

As it is known, Sony is not a stranger when it comes to the market of headphones, and the MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Canceling Headphones is just a confirmation of their innovation techniques in this certain field. The Digital Noise Canceling Headphones offer a high-quality structure, many features, and a good-quality sound. Overall, these headphones have some imperfections but they do offer a considerable advantage of eliminating up to 99% of the unwanted external noise. It would be a good acquisition for people that get easily distracted by the external noise, as well as for those that travel a lot and experience stress because of the outside noise. 

When it comes to the design of the headphones, it is clear that they were manufactured for the standard ear, therefore some may find it uncomfortable. The headphones are well-made, coming equipped with an adjustable band that is padded at the top for a maximum comfort one can get. 

The Sony MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Canceling Headphones present a number of important features such as the audio input analysis key, the monitor button for muting playback, and the button for turning the headphones on. A clear advantage of these headphones is the fact that they come equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery as well as an extra cord with a battery pack that allows the usage of two AA batteries. The option of using AC power is also provided as a power adaptor is also included. 

It is important to not outlook the most important feature of this product by Sony that being the noise-cancellation function. The way it functions effectively is that it uses the feedback type noise canceling (the microphone is positioned close to the ear rather than on the outside of the earcup), option that lets the item better analyze the sounds that actually will come straight at the eardrum. The headphones employ a digital equalizer in combination with a software engine that leads to the cancellation of the outside noise and the decrease of the stress placed on the ears. The Sony MDR-NC500D Headphones react and adjust to various environments, such as airplanes, trains, or office environments, which all produce specific noises. 

Among some of the disadvantages that these headphones demonstrate are the impossibility to turn off completely the noise cancellation, the poorly designed monitoring attribute, as well as the quite high price of 400$, that might be a bit too high for a Christmas gift. But if capable of affording such the price, the advantages one will receive with the purchase of the Sony MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Canceling Headphones will outnumber the disadvantages and let one enjoy the music you are listening to without the external annoying sound. 

Nokia releases firmware v12.043 for N96 smartphone

robably the time for only big releases, so people could feel themselves free to choose New Year presents for their friend and relatives, but it is also the good time for manufacturers nevertheless to get busy with what was not perfect thru the past year. The case in which we are mentioning it is the latest Nokia N96 firmware update v12.043 available from today's morning December 08. And it is a good move from Nokia I suppose, because even within a few hours from the moment after first lucky N96 users have installed v12.043 to it, the web started filling up with positive comments. Well done for Nokia as it may now expect better profits from smartphones in the "hot" season of winter. So, let's see what N96 firmware v12.043 is all about.

First of all mind you that the latest N96 v12.043 firmware is not up to bring too many of new features. As we started with Nokia was not perfect with its flagman N96 model, now is a good time to fix it along with many other Nokia devices which get their firmware updates regularly. That is exactly the way it should be and it doesn't mean that Nokia puts up for sale underfulfilled gadgets. In the meanwhile, the updated devices show a bit more of what was expected, not only patches for obvious bloopers. More concrete on N96 with v12.043, it now has: cameraperformance update. It shows in less motion blur and color bloom effect.Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have enhanced interoperability. Messaging fix doesn't alter SMS text into MMS if case when the SMS was sent to more than 20 numbers. With an additional download, compatibility with Nokia Email service is available. And, except for fixing crushing applications, many more changes in screen settings, themes and ringtones, etc.

Overall firmware v12.043 made N96 faster and more reliable with plus 45 free MB RAM after boot. The updating pack has 120 MB at Nokia official web site, or over-the-air it would be only 3 MB.

ore security with BlackLine GPS Seeker

Those that own a car understand the importance of a good security systemthat will guarantee that their vehicle is safe. There are many options up to date that offer their services of protecting your car from being stolen. BlackLine GPS introduced recently their new innovation the Seeker, a device not a lot larger by size than a car remote key, which persistently monitors the automatically configured GPS security perimeter. 

The way it functions seems to be effective and easy to understand: when an unauthorized person moves the vehicle outside the established perimeter, the device instantly notifies the owner through SMS or email and sends an alert to the BlackLine Recovery Service, initiating a recovery process. It is curious to notice that during these procedures, BlackLine works in collaboration with the local authority to succeed in recovering the missing vehicle and to catch the thief. 

For owners that some times forget where they have parked their cars, this device can be a real time-saver, as it can help them track the location of their vehicles via their cell phones or by using the BlackLine’s website. The future owners of Seeker will have the option to track their family members in case of an emergency and not only, by using real-time and scheduled GPS tracking. 

The device comes along with a key fob that the owner carries with him. It allows the owner to arm and disarm the device’s security function. When the owner approaches the established perimeter, it automatically disarms, opposed to when the owner leaves the perimeter, Seeker appoints an armed security mode. 

Another characteristic included is the fact that the Seeker allows you to share your location with others, so that the people you are sharing this information with know where you currently are and where you have been. This alternative is especially useful when traveling in a group of vehicles, it being essential to know each vehicle’s location. 

Seeker requires a two-wire connection, being compatible with 12VDC and 24VDC power systems. The Seeker can report on the car’s battery level to the owner by use of mobile phone and emails. A useful tool of the Seeker consists in the fact that in case the power supply is disconnected, it switches automatically to the internal battery that lasts two days and which is rechargeable, at the same time letting the owner know about the upcoming issue. 

For all car-owners that think it would be a good feature for their vehicle, keep your eyes on the market as the BlackLine GPS Seeker is coming out in the beginning of the year. 

Neuros OSD Media Recorder – storage of all your media

Probably all of us have a collection of movies that we prefer the most and that we keep hoping that nothing will ever happen to them. The problem in some cases is that many of our favorite movies come in different formats. Neuros OSD Media Recorder is a useful gadget for all those that keep movies in a mix of DVDs, online, video cameras and probably on VHS tapes as well, since this gadget allows archiving the collection of all your movies. 

The benefit of archiving all your movies is a measure of precaution of your DVD set being stolen or lost and the other outstanding benefit is the possibility of watching one movie on a variety of different mediums. This gadget automatically encodes video and audio for such devices as laptops, iPods, iPhone, andSmartphones. Another noticeable feature of Neuros OSD Media Recorder is the option of transforming the Gallic SECAM format into MPEG4. 

It is possible to store and play files by using media cards or by using a USB external hard drive plugged into the OSD. The most prominent feature of Neuros OSD is the richness of ports and the open-source firmware. Purchasing the device, it gives you analog video and audio input and output, Ethernet, USB, infrared, two card slots to accommodate CF and SD/MS/MMC cards, and also including is a universal full-function remote control. 

Other features that need to be taken into consideration are the timed recording feature permitting one to schedule recordings in advance, the network attached storage functionality, and the option of searching for and watching YouTube videos on the TV. 

This gadget will allow you to convert digital pictures into mobile-friendly sizes for a better photo album portability. Some other characteristics that may be of good use are the customizable slide shows and the IR Blaster in order to control your set-top box. 

The use of this gadget seems to be quite easy, so there is no such requirement to be technology savvy. Neuros OSD Media Recorder may be a valuable Christmasgift, as Christmas is one of those times of the year when we search throughout our collection of movies to pick a good one to watch with the entire family. 

Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 60GB Hard Drive Camcorder

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Creative Technology Vado HD Pocket Video CAM

Creative's high-definition pocket camcorder impresses with its features and performance.

The newest addition to the ever-expanding mini-camcorder market is the Creative Labs Vado HD, a $230 pocket camcorder that can record 720p high-definition video. While it isn't quite as compact as Pure Digital's Flip Mino HD and won't win any awards for its ordinary looks, the Vado HD gets high marks thanks to its solid video quality and feature set.

The Vado HD certainly won't incite drooling; its design, which resembles that of an MP3 player at first glance, is rather pedestrian. But it also has a lot to like. Measuring 3.9 by 2.2 by 0.6 inches, the Vado HD is only a hair larger than the Flip Mino HD, making it very pocket-friendly. The Vado HD's large, 2-inch, 680-by-240-pixel display does a great job of previewing video, too, though it is a little hard to see in sunlight.

The Vado HD can output through RCA jacks, as well as HDMI--it even comes with an HDMI cable (but no RCA cable). Also, like many other pocket camcorders, the Vado HD has an integrated USB connector that you plug into a PC to offload your footage and charge the camcorder. As a result, you don't need to carry a USB cable around, though a USB extension cable is bundled with the unit.

Using the Vado HD is straightforward, as it has a mere seven buttons for controlling recording and playback. I found the physical buttons to be better than the Flip Mino HD's touch-sensitive controls, since the Vado HD's buttons aren't as easy to press accidentally. Unfortunately, the four-way rocker button provided less-than-ideal clicking action, especially for the zoom-in/zoom-out controls.

The Vado HD records to AVI video using the H.264 codec. The camcorder works with Windows XP and Vista, as well as with Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later. The integrated 8GB of storage holds up to 2 hours of 720p high-def video in HD+ mode (higher bit rate), up to 4 hours of footage in HD mode (still 720p video, but at a lower bit rate), and up to 8 hours of standard-definition VGA (640 by 480 resolution) video. For my testing, I mainly used the HD+ mode. While the 2-hour battery life is a bit short considering the Vado HD's recording capacity, the battery is user-replaceable, so you can carry an extra battery along and swap it in when necessary.

Creative bundles its VadoCentral software for transferring videos to your computer, managing them, and uploading them to YouTube or other video services, but the software is only for Windows. If you're a Mac user, you'll have to drag videos off the camcorder and onto your hard drive manually, and you'll have to download the Perian codec pack for QuickTime (version 1.1.2 or newer) to actually watch any videos.

Overall, the Vado HD did a pretty good job recording video in my tests. Its white balance is good enough to avoid the dreaded yellow tint, and it handles moving between different lighting conditions well; when I did that, the camcorder adjusted in less than a second. I did find the video a little grainy and pixelated, however, and sometimes I saw a slight "jelly effect" when recording shaky video (for example, recording while walking). Like some other pocket camcorders, the Vado HD struggles on close-ups and features only 2X zoom. But by and large, in comparison with similar products, there's little to complain about.

The Vado HD is a pretty slick package. It lacks the sex appeal of some other camcorders in its class, such as the Flip Mino series, and it lacks a Mac-compatible video-management app. Nevertheless, good overall image quality, a user-replaceable battery, and other niceties make the Vado HD an attention-worthy option for a pocketable HD camcorder.