Apple iPod nano 16 GB Blue (6th Generation) NEWEST MODEL Review. Redesigned for music and Multi-Touch, iPod nano is smaller and lighter than ever. You can clip it to your sleeve, jacket, or running shorts and keep your favorite songs at your fingertips - along with the Genius feature, a built-in FM radio, pedometer, and more. And the anodized aluminum finish in six bright colors makes this new design even more brilliant. Built-in clip Built-in FM radio with Live Pause Built-in pedometer Up to 24 hours of music playback New anodized aluminum colorSpecifications Display - 1.54 color TFT display, 240 x 240 pixel resolution Input/Output - Dock connector, Earphones jack External buttons - Volume control, Sleep/Wake button Sensors - Accelerometer FM Radio - Regional settings for Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe, and Japan, Live Pause Extra Features - Localized UI & VoiceOver (29 Languages) Audio Frequency Response - 20Hz - 20kHz Audio Formats - AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to...

 "Great New Design!" 2010-09-21
By VisualSmith (Middleburg, FL United States)

I have owned several iPods and I phones. I recently purchased a previous model nano because I missed the feel of the click wheel on my original iPod. Unfortunately, that nano went missing and so I had to decide whether to buy another previous model click wheel nano, or embrace the new touch model. I took the plunge and fully expected to return this new model. But then I opened it and the controls just work. The new touch menu system is faster than the old wheel. It's size is unreal. The square screen is perfect for album art. Yes, it did loose some features but I was ok with that because the video camera and microphone was always poor quality. It also doesn't play videos, but seriously, with the small screen, video has always been useless on the Nano. If you don't like the trade offs then look elsewhere. But if you want an an incredibly small and intuitive audio player, this is it. I think this is really what the iPod Nano should be.

 "I love this little guy" 2010-09-27
By Ted Peterson

All anyone has to do is Google '6th Gen Nano review', and they will see a plethora of seemingly identical reviews blasting the newest generation of Nano for being so radically different from the previous models. I can sum up almost all of the negative reviews in one grammatically horrible sentence: features were removed, one has to look at the screen to operate the player rather than use the click wheel, no more camera/video recording, no more support for watching video, and yet it still costs the same as the older Nano. These are all pretty true statements, however, what people are failing to understand is that this is a completely new product- many of the so-called failings in these reviews are by comparison and really have little to do with the merits of the new Nano itself. I think it would be easy to counter most of the arguments that you see in these reviews, and it's amazing how so many of them are written by people who have not really used one of these Nanos, by suggesting that they spend the extra $50 or so dollars for the newest ipod touch which can take pictures, videos, has apps and games, all on a much bigger screen- albeit on a much larger device. Most of the negative reviews have made it clear that having a larger device is preferable to less features, and thus, I think the ipod touch would suit the critics much better than the tiny little marvel of technology that is this newest Nano. Besides, the line between the ipod Touch and Nano, with regards to both their price and size, have been steadily converging for years, and Apple must have realized this. So instead of another device that attempts to be the cheaper alternative to Touch, Apple has developed something new, the 6th Gen Nano. This new Nano is an extremely portable device which has attempted to combine some of the best audio features and touch screen controls of the Touch, with a form factor that is as small as the previous generation of shuffle. The result is a terrific combination of functionality and compactness that is unbelievably small, usable, and fun to use. And the sound is fantastic too (for an iPod).



So instead of making the same old review as the critics, please allow me to introduce the Nano from the standpoint of someone who has never used the previous generations of Nano. First of all, the things that attracted me the most were the size and the screen. The size is obviously perfect for heading out for a jog, and it's probably no coincidence that it has nearly the same size and shape as the previous Shuffle. I have an ipod touch, and honestly, I don't want to take a $400 device to the gym or into the classroom (I'm a teacher) only to have it disappear from my desk. The small size allows me to wear the Nano on a watchband, something that I would not do with the larger Touch and something that would've looked absurd with the 5th Gen. Nano. As a matter of fact, the Nano has a nice little clock display that makes for a nice watch if you wear it on the watchband. Additionally, I am one of those people who find small technology absolutely fascinating- the smaller, shinier and complicated it is, the more I love it. This Nano is a dream come true, it's a postage stamp sized touch, sans movies. But really, who would buy a media player to watch a movie on a 1.54 inch screen- in this respect I think Apple respects the intelligence of its customers by not trying to market this as a product that would obviously fail at that task.



The screen is great because of the controls- I love the touch controls on my Touch, it's what I'm used to, so I don't have this expectation of finding a scroll wheel on the front. The screen allows for a functional combination of display and control on such a small device. It has a very nice, bright display with high resolution and the touch control is very snappy with absolutely no lag or delay. Some people have stated that the screen is too small to be useful- I would have agreed had I bought this for watching movies or looking at pictures. However, as mentioned earlier, one could get a slightly more expensive Touch for those features and a much larger screen. Many of the critics have complained that in order to control the newest Nano, the user must look at the display- however, there is the Voice Over function which will literally tell you what you are touching. I can fumble around without looking, Voice Over tells me what buttons I'm touching, and then I double tap the button when I touch it. Really, it's not that complicated, at any given time there's only a maximum of 4 buttons on the screen. Oh, that's the right button- double tap, and there we go.



The audio quality is great for an ipod. To my untrained ear, it is louder than my Touch, and sounds just as clear or better through my Etymotics and Sennheisers. It has the same Equalizer presets as the touch, Genius playlists, playlists, well- pretty much all of the same audio features as the touch, including audio books. Oh, so now I don't have to carry a $400 device to listen to audio books! There's obviously the shake to shuffle feature too.



The little belt clip is nice, and like the Shuffle, keeps the Nano on securely. As a matter of fact, the Nano's case feels very sturdy and strong. The external buttons are easy to press and use- there are only 3 of them, and everything else is done via screen. Some people have complained that there isn't a 'home' button to take you back in the menu- however, when you first get started, the Nano tells you very explicitly that you need to swipe to the right to go back in the menu. Also, speaking of swiping, you can use two fingers to rotate the screen in any direction, meaning that the new Nano can be used in any orientation.



All in all, this Nano seemingly fulfills that niche in which function, small size and quality meet. I was looking for a small music player with some advanced features since I already have an ipod Touch that can play movies and games and apps, a Droid that can play movies, games, apps and make phone calls, a PSP and a DSi. I can use any of these devices for multimedia, but one thing they won't be is small. This is a device that gave up all the potential that comes from having a big screen to be a tiny and high tech music player. You won't be able to play games (yet) or watch movies (yet)on the touch screen, but that doesn't make the screen useless. The touchscreen is what allows for the impossibly small size, by combining the controls with the display.



Nano is a product for people who don't need or care about a movie player, but are instead looking for the Touch's music capabilities and Apple quality in a much smaller package. To that respect, I have to say that the new Nano hits the mark. It's already apparent that anyone expecting an updated Gen. 5 Nano with a new feature or two will be very disappointed. Judging by the reviews online and here in Amazon, and I think the criticism is fair- Apple has taken the smaller and more affordable alternative to the Touch and transformed it into something that is nearly a luxury item. If a user can accept the exchanging of features (some useful, some useless) for size and technology as a comparable trade-off, then the Nano will be perfect; as it is, the Nano is really a nice, nice little music player- it's fun to use, sounds great and is ultimately portable. At $179, some people would consider the Nano a little pricey (I bought mine for my birthday), then again, at $179 the 5th gen Nano was a little pricey, considering that a Touch was $50 more. That being said, I think many more people will try to justify to themselves the extra expenditure to upgrade to the touch, but that's probably what Apple is aiming for. I think this current incarnation of Nano represents a literal midpoint between the shuffle and the touch, both between function and price.



That's my review.

But just for fun I would also like to hypothesize for a second about what the critics would think, had Apple developed the Gen. 6 Nano last year and was now releasing the Gen 5. Nano.

Imagine that Apple has decided to release a new Nano that was twice as big and twice as heavy, with only 1/2 the battery life. This new Nano has a larger screen, a camera, and you can play games on it, however, Apple is going to do away with the touch screen for the simpler controls that ipods used 8 years ago. What would the critics think?



In case anyone actually reads this review, I understand that I've made a couple comments that don't seem to jive- for example, when I say that someone could buy a touch for $50 more than a nano, and yet my touch was $400. However, this is true, since I bought my 32 GB touch 2 years ago when it was $399 and today, someone can buy an 8GB touch for $229- exactly $50 more than the 16GB Nano.

 "I totally love it!" 2010-09-23
By Oree

I know everyone is all upset about the camera and video functions disappearing but those things aren't essential to a good music player. Everyone and their mom has a camera phone these days so whip that out and take a crappy quality picture or video and save your iPod for music. I bought the 16g nano to replace a 1st gen iPod video that I've had for about 5 years. I hardly ever watched videos on that iPod so the video function being gone doesn't bother me one bit. I don't really understand watching video on a 2 inch screen anyway. So far I've explored most of the functions on the new player and have found that the touch interface and navigation are easy to use. I have no complaints about screen size, touch sensitivity or sound quality. I love the live pause feature on the radio tuner! And the pedometer is really neat. The radio gets great reception and the tag feature is great for remembering that song you heard on the radio that you want to buy. For anyone who wants a good music player with a lot of cool features I recommend the new nano.

 "I love this thing!" 2010-09-12
By SciFi Guy (New England)

I just picked up one of these at the Apple Store the other day and I have to say I love it. I should preface this with the fact that I have not owned any of the prior Apple Nano's so I'm not comparing it with them. I have owned several MP3 players over the years that I used for music, radio, and audio books and the Nano works great with all of them. The touch screen works well; smooth and not too sensitive. You can move back and forth and pick songs, albums and books easily. When it's playing, I like that I can fast forward and back with both arrow controls and on the sliding time line; great for audio books. I was concerned with the small screen size at first, but even my 55 year old eyes can see pictures and text just fine. The volume controls are by buttons on the edge of the Nano and works when the screen is on and also in sleep mode, so no need to look at it to adjust. There is a more extensive menu for added bass and preset EQ's. The clip works great. I attach it to either my sleeve, shirt pocket or my tshirt collar and it doesn't slip at all. The radio reception is very good with the headphone cord acting as the antenna. I work in a brick building and most players with radios don't work that well. About the only thing I don't like is the Apple headphones that came with it. They don't sound very good and I prefer soft ear buds. I use a couple of great aftermarket ones anyway. There are many other features that I have not mentioned, but so far it does exactly what I bought it to do.

 "Really is The Super Shuffle" 2010-09-18
By C. Bowes (Midwest US)

I've used most of the different iPod models dating back to the original and most recently was using a "postage stamp" shuffle for running. I loved the simplicity and ruggedness of the shuffle for heavy mileage running and when I saw that Apple had gone back to that design asked my wife to order me a new one. Instead she bought me a new nano and at first I too didn't "get it" and was annoyed when she told me it was on the way. Man was I wrong.



Now that I've had a chance to use it I can say that I love it and that it really is the Super Shuffle. The size is marginally larger than a shuffle, it's made of aluminum and should prove to be bullet proof, the glass touch screen is surprisingly useful and smooth, the capacity is mega and it sounds really really good. The very large capacity, the extra features like genius and genius mixes, the cool little clock, the FM radio, album art, it's got JUST the features I can put to good use on the run and none that I won't use. Even the FM radio is very, very good at pulling in stations and they sound much clearer than I had expected.



Oh, and I've sweat heavily while running with this little baby and no problem at all. It seems very rugged and sweat-resistant so far.



If I want video I'll bring along another device. For music and radio, especially while active, this sets a new standard for me. Love it and recommend it heartily.

Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System Review. BINOCULAR, LENSPEN CLEANING SYSTEM...

 "it really does work" 2005-03-12
By Keith Chiem

does exactly what it's supposed to, and does it well.



to use:



1. with one end, extend the brush, and wipe debris away.



2. twist the cap on the other end, and take it off. with that end, wipe in a circular motion, and smudges get polished away.

 "I have 2 - one for each camera system (film and digital)" 2006-04-01
By Dom Miliano (Denville, NJ USA)

As an eyeglasses wearer and photographer, clean and scratch free lenses is important to me. This tool sweeps away scratch making surface debris with the soft brush on one end and then polishes away smudges with a suction-cup-like device on the other. I have no idea (nor do I need to know) how this thing works but I know it does.



Hasn't scratched yet - and it's dirt cheap.

 "A good "throw it in a bag" accessory" 2006-04-03
By Amazonster (US)

Of course, this is not world's the most sophisticated lens cleaning system. However, it is one very handy package that takes very little room in your bag and works with reliable and predictable results. I would not use this pen to clean lens that was subjected to what would be considered heavy levels of dirt, but it works well, cleaning those occasional smudges that you get on the lens when a 3-year old decides to touch lens with his finger or a droplet of water dries on the lens.

 "Perfect for frequent cleaning out in the field" 2005-01-21
By Gadgester (Mother Earth)

This low-priced pen cleaning kit from Nikon is a must-have. I was surprised that it costs less than non-Nikon cleaning pens that do exactly the same.



One end of the pen has a soft brush which is retractable. It's perfect for brushing away dust on the lens. The other end is a cleaning pad, which is used to remove fingerprints and particles that get stuck on the lens. Because this product is small, it doesn't take up any space in the camera bag. It's also very convenient to use.



Of course, if your lens surface is really dirty, you should get a complete cleaning system including lens-friendly cleaning solution and soft tissue paper.

 "Awesome!!" 2005-01-26
By Odiseuz (San Jose CR)

Hi, bought this items to fill te 25$ to get free shipping when buying a case for my camera, a Canon Powershot S1 IS.

I own a Scope and i had some Eye Pieces with some fingerprints (I'm kind of dumy without my night vision fixed!!!) I used the Nikon lens pen to remove those fingerprints and the result was absolutely awesome. I have used it wtih my camera too! I'm really pleased with the results.... now i'm carrying it with my camera and with my scope... it's easy to use, small, usefull, cheap... I totally recomend it!

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator Review. So after all the scores have been tabulated, the regression analysis demonstrates. can this be right? For complex math and statistics, the Texas Instruments 94 Plus calculator can display answers in the form of graphs. It is essential for any math/science student eager to learn and ace all classes. An enhanced version of the TI-84 Plus graphic calculator, the new TI-84 Plus offers a built-in USB port, 3x the memory of the previous version, many preloaded Apps, an improved display, and more! Because the new TI-84 Plus is 100% keystroke-for-keystroke compatible with the TI-84 Plus, integrating it into your classroom will be easy! This new version allows students to share their work by connecting their TI-84 Plus to any TI presentation tools for the whole class to see, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Plus, a built-in USB port makes data transfer to your computer and between hand helds easier than ever. High-contrast display...

 "A great improvement on the TI-83 Plus" 2004-09-16
By Crayon

The new TI-84 Plus is a wonderful calculator. If anybody has had the TI-83 or 83 Plus, they know how easy and reliable it is. The 84 Plus is an all-around imprivement on the older version and even worth the additional $15-$20. I have had it since school started and have noticed than any problem I enter, it is solved immediately upon pressing enter, or solve. The speed is a great improvement over the 83-Plus. The computer features are nice, but rarely used by myself. For anybody who is supposed to buy a TI series calculator for school, the 84 Plus us definitely the one to pick up this year and for the next few years I assume. Easy, fast, reliable, durable, and even sleek. As long as you handle it properly and use it enough, you will get all of your $110 out of the TI-84 Plus.

 "Best School Supply Ever!" 2004-12-07
By Ryan McVickers (Lemont, IL, USA)

This calculator is hands-down the best I have ever had the honor of using. While the TI-84 Plus may not have as much space or as many pre-loaded Apps as the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition, the TI-84 Plus offers everything a high school (possibly some college) math student needs in order to successfully learn and solve mathematics material. The TI-84 Plus comes loaded with several Apps that will make things even more convenient, such as a Probability Simulator and Cabri Jr., a great geometry app. Student looking to upgrade from the TI-83 Plus will find comfort in the fact that the TI-84 Plus is 2.5x faster and has 3x the memory than the TI-83 Plus. The TI-84 Plus is also extremely easy to hook up to your computer to transfer new Apps and updates to it using the USB port and the included USB cable. The TI-84 Plus will be a great investment for any student's education.

 "Just got it brand new!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" 2006-09-05
By

I just bought this graphing calculator. It looks and feels very stylish and comfortable. I believe this is a better choice than the ti-84 plus silver edition as that version has a little more memory and a few more applications and cost about $20 more. I don't care about those extras because i only need it for my math class!!If you need a graphing calculator this is the one to get as it it almost identical to the ti-83 plus and only cost about $10 more. Buy this and you get a better screen, more memory, and faster speed!!!!!!!!!

 "Great Choice!" 2007-02-06
By L. Josephson (PA, USA)

I had a TI-86 for years and it died. I know many of my friends who had the TI-83 but I did not like it so when I came across this it sparked my interest. It does everything the TI-83 does and more. I am a college student and it does everything that I need. Great choice!

 "WOW!!!!" 2004-08-06
By John Pirate (Alabama)

The TI-84+ is the calculator of my dreams. I've always wanted a friend that could graph so efficiently! Why I had no problem finding the second derivative of many graphs just by eye!

Again I say WOW! and give the TI-84+ 5 big stars!

Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch inch LCD Review. Canon PowerShot S95 Digital Camera Features10.0 Megapixel sensor combined with the DIGIC 4 Image Processor create Canon's HS SYSTEM for improved low light performance and better image quality.Shoot beautiful 720p HD video in stereo sound and play back on an HDTV via the HDMI output.A bright f/2.0 lens, great for shooting portrait photography in low light conditions or using a shallow depth-of-field for great images with beautiful soft backgrounds.A control ring for intuitive manual control, built for the way the serious photographer has always accessed exposure control.Full range of shooting and recording modes including RAW + JPEG for the ultimate creative control.A 3.8x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, plus a 28mm Wide-Angle Lens gets you close to your subjects as well as capture more in your frame.Utilizes Canon's Hybrid IS to compensate for angular and shift camera shake during close-up shooting.Image Quality That's Better Than Ever.The PowerShot S95 employs the Canon HS...

 "Wow! What an improvement!" 2010-08-31
By Amazon Fan for Many Years (Alexandria, Virginia)

I spent two or three months doing tons of research to replace my old Canon SD870. Finally a month ago I decided to buy the S90 despite the fact that it didn't have 720 HD video, it was a one-year old model, and many reviewers disliked the looseness of the control dial. My S90 arrived in the middle of August and over the course of many days I learned how to use all the functions and was very pleased with the results.



And then on August 19 Canon announced the upcoming release of the Canon S95. I immediately returned my S90 and anxiously awaited the arrival of its successor. Earlier today it was delivered and I've been using it all day.



I must say that I wanted to love the S90, but the smoothness of the body annoyed me. I figured I'd just have to get used to the slipperiness. But now that I have the S95 in my hands, I can't believe what a difference the matte finish makes regarding secure handling. There's no way you can appreciate the difference if you haven't handled both models yourself. Honestly, that feature alone is worth the slightly higher price.



Control dial issues? No longer! Subtle click-stops have solved that problem.



Finger missing the shutter button on the S90? Well, the geniuses at Canon took care of that, also. You won't mistake the shutter button on the S95 for any other button due to the distinct and secure feel.



I'm in love with this camera. I won't go into details about picture quality because it's as good as its predecessor; there are examples all over the Internet. And of course the S95's 720 HD video is a big improvement over the standard video of the S90.



Only one "con" I can think of: The new, smooth, elegant display on the back is no longer recessed therefore you'll have to be careful if you place the camera face up on a flat surface. In that position it appears the screen will come in direct contact with the table's surface.

 "Excellent image quality, full controls and pocketable" 2010-09-10
By Michael Sandman (Brookline, MA United States)

If you're looking for a pocketable camera that has reasonably high quality images, lets you control aperture, speed and focus and shoot in RAW format, this is it. I bought mine as an upgrade from a previous small but versatile camera, a Canon Powershot S70.



The Powershot S95 was introduced in August 2010 as a slight upgrade to the S90, which was widely praised for its image quality and excellent interface but criticized for being hard to hold ("like a bar of soap in the shower") and for having a control dial that turned too easily. The S95 fixes both problems and adds a couple of other features in a package that fits in the pocket of your jeans (if they're not super tight). The case is metal, and although there are no finger grips on the body, it's not slippery at all. It feels like it's covered with super-fine sandpaper (like 1000 or 1500 grit, for those you who know what that feels like).



The second major complaint about the S-90 was that the function selection ring on the rear moved too easily. The ring on the S-95 has a slight click when you move it, and it doesn't move unless you want it to.



There are a couple of other cameras of this type, including the Panasonic LX-3 and LX-5 and the Samsung TL500. They all have let you control camera functions, and like the S95 they have 10 MP sensors that are almost twice as large as a typical pocket camera, so the pixels on the sensor are larger. That lets them gather light more efficiently, which reduces digital "noise" when you shoot in dim light. Image quality is noticeably better than photos from typical pocket cameras. You can make an 8 x 10 or perhaps 11x14 enlargement, although a digital SLR will be significantly better for larger prints. They also have f/2.0 lenses at their widest angle, although the aperture closes down as you zoom in.



The Canon has two advantages over the Panasonic LX-3 & LX-5. First, you really can put it in your pocket or in a belt case no bigger than the one you use for a mobile phone. Second, the interface is a brilliant re-thinking of how a very small camera with a full set of controls should work. There's not much room for buttons on the small surface, but you don't have to get into a multi-level menu on the LCD, and yet changing settings is fast and intuitive.

For example, there's a ring around the lens that you can grip easily to control zoom, or, shutter speed, or aperture, change ISO, or manually focus. You select what you want it to do by pressing a button on the top, and when you look at the LCD screen you can see what it's programmed for. There's a selection wheel on the back for other functions, and when you move it, a clear set of choices appears on the screen. The selections are context-appropriate, so they change depending on whether you've set the camera for aperture control, "Program" control, etc.



The two Panasonics have the same sensor as their Canon equivalents, but they offer a slightly wider lens (24mm vs. 28 for the S95). The LX-3 has a much shorter telephoto - only 60 mm. The LX-5, which was introduced a couple of weeks before the S95, has a 90mm telephoto, and you can buy an add-on optical viewfinder. It also has a flash shoe in addition to the pop-up flash, although you can buy a dedicated add-on flash for the S-95 to supplement its pop-up flash The LX-5 is about 25% more expensive than the Canon S95 (and 60% more with the optional viewfinder) and while it would fit in a coat pocket, you can't stuff it into a trouser pocket.



If you want a truly pocketable camera that gives you good image quality and full control over your photography, the S95 is an excellent choice.

 "Great camera and upgrade to superb S90" 2010-09-05
By Thomas Mclean (Los Angeles, Ca USA)

I own both the S90 and S95 (G10 and G11 also, as well as F-1 and numerous Nikons including the D90).

Hands down, I took more photos on a daily basis with the S90 since I took it EVERYWHERE.

As they say, the absolute best camera is the one you have when you need to take a photograph.

The picture quality of the S90 is superb and the S95 is at least as good.

Often the biggest limiter to picture quality is the skill of the photographer.

Time spent mastering a particular camera is well spent and paper specs often can mislead.

Discussing subtle nuances over comparable cameras is often more academic than practical.

The S95 gives the serious photographer tremendous flexibility from full auto to full manual and superb features that are packaged in a truly pocketable high performing camera that is arguably best in class.



So what has improved:



Body finish...more tactile and grippy

Selection wheel on back has click stops....hurray!

On/off button is where it should be.

720p movie mode added (24 fps vs 30 for lx5) with stereo recording.

More scenes including High Dynamic Range (very cool)

Numerous technical innovations that result in more stable, sharper pictures.

Button feel on back is more positive.

Ring on front has more friction and feels more positive.

Body even smaller and more pocketable.

Menu system updated but if you can drive a S90, G10 or G11 you will be off and running.

Improved hand lanyard placement.

Improved shutter release.

Slightly rounded corners...looks feels better.



What stayed the same:



Battery door and card slot.

Same cables and connectors.

Lack of grip....no denying it would add weight but...

Build quality...as good as it will get.



What got worse:

This part is highly subjective because different people see the same change differently (I see the size reduction as good, while others have said it's bad....so be wary and know if you agree with peoples reasons).

Thumb rest no longer there...I missed it.



So there you have my first impressions and if I had to choose between the S90 and S95, the S95 is the clear winner!

 "S95 is simply perfect" 2010-09-02
By Jonathan Beling

The Canon S95 is my 5th Canon compact camera over 7 or 8 years. When I was looking for a new camera a few weeks ago I wanted one that offered more than just the standard point and shoot features but also one that I could easily carry in my pocket. I was torn between the S95 and the LX5 (Panasonic). The S95 won me over and here is why. First, the LX5 is not exactly "compact" but the S95 is the perfect size. It fits nicely in my front pants pocket, not to mention the finish on the camera is not slick so you can easily grip it without worrying about dropping it. The second thing I wanted was to be able to take good depth of field shots. I'm not a camera guru, but I know a little and the basic point and shoot just does not offer this and if it does I promise it's not as easy to use nor as good of quality as the S95. Next is the HD video. I took about 5 video's at a karaoke bar last night and they are awesome. I have an 8GB SD card which according to the camera can record over 50 minutes of HD (720) video. Also, when taking action shots just using the AUTO setting on the camera, the pictures turn out amazing. The ring function is probably another major reason I chose the S95. You can use it to zoom or change any of the settings (e.g., aperture) just by turning it. No need to go through the menu settings etc. The S95 is also a solid camera. You can tell this by just looking at the parts used and feeling the camera itself. I don't feel like I'm going to break it if that makes any sense. For the money you get a lot with this camera. The HD video is by itself worth it.

 "Simply Amazing" 2010-09-09
By Surfseventy8 (Nantucket, MA United States)

When I first saw the S90, I was quite intrigued by the amazing low light performance. As a dSLR shooter, I've become quite used to shooting at ISO 800 and above with virtually no noise. I hate the look of photos taken with tiny, on-camera flashes. They are very unflattering so I try to shoot with natural light as much as possible. I've had a few older, basic point and shoots and eventually moved up to the G9 but they all had the same issue: tons of noise on any photo shot above ISO 200. With the larger sensor size faster f/2.0 lens and advanced in-camera noise reduction processing, this seems to do just fine at ISO 1250 and 1600.



This camera definitely rocks. The small size means that it's easy to keep in my pocket at all times. My other camera is a Nikon D700 with a huge, heavy lens that I hate to take out just because of its size. The S95 is giving my pro camera a run for its money. The picture quality is great and the in-camera scenes give you so many options as well as full manual mode. Shutter lag is virtually non-existent. The LCD screen is bright and fairly accurate as far as colors. My last Canon, the G9, had a purplish tint to the LCD and didn't display colors properly. The S95's screen is polarized which makes it much easier to see in bright sunlight. The downside to this is that if you wear polarized sunglasses, the screen goes black when turned horizontally.



The ergonomics of this camera leave a little to be desired. It's not easy to turn on or off with one hand and i'm always struggling with how to hold it while shooting. I find that I press buttons accidentally. I suppose that's to be expected on a camera that's this small. I'm also less than impressed with the HD video. The picture quality was great considering it's a p&s but it is a little jumpy since it only records 24 fps. Battery life is a little short, 1/2 a day of shooting (about 150 photos, a few >1 minute videos and some playback). If you plan to take this camera on vacation, do yourself a huge favor and get a spare battery.

Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote with Color Touchscreen Review. The color touch screen and sculpted buttons, organized into logical zones with backlighting, give you easy, one-touch access to your home entertainment – even in the dark. Just one press and you're watching a DVD or your favorite TV channel. The ergonomic design fits comfortably in your hand, and because it's rechargeable, you won't need to worry about buying new batteries. With support for more than 5,000 brands, you can control home entertainment devices that you own today or will buy tomorrow. Our online software guides you through setup, and our live customer support team is available if you need help....

 "Fantastic Remote: Simple to Program, Even Easier to Use!" 2008-02-04
By Jennifer Ray (Nashville, TN United States)

A year ago, I purchased the Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control and have liked it so much that I had determined to buy a second remote this year in order to have one upstairs and one downstairs. Although both the Harmony 880 and the new Harmony One each control many devices (I currently have 14 devices configured on each), it became tiresome to have to go to a different floor of the house to grab the remote for the other level. Then Amazon Vine received the Harmony One remote from Logitech for review, and I was thrilled to be able to review it.



The Harmony 880 and the Harmony One are very similar in functionality and programming. Both are programmed using a USB interface to your PC and the Logitech Harmony Remote Software. Both can handle multiple devices with considerable ease, allowing for most users to configure every remote-controlled device in their home. Both remotes can `learn' from the original remote if you are not able to configure a device using the model number. Both of these remotes enjoy a rechargeable dock.



Where the significant improvements are in the Harmony One over the Harmony 880 are the feel of the device in the hand, the improved backlit hard buttons that are easy to see in the dark, and a dock that cradles the remote much better (making it more difficult for your cat to knock the remote out of the dock! LOL). Also, with significant spaces between buttons on the Harmony One, it is easier to feel your way around the remote without looking.



If you are replacing an older Harmony remote, the Logitech Harmony software offers the opportunity to `replace' the currently configured device with the newer device, transferring your device setup for all the TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc. to the new remote with little effort. As I did not want to replace, but add a new remote, I didn't use this function myself.



For those of us who are adding a new remote, I was a bit disappointed in the Harmony Remote software. You cannot have multiple remotes under one Logitech account. Instead, you must set up a separate ID for each remote. Many people use the same ID for most computer programs and online sites requiring one, and this requirement may cause some trouble for us in the future. I can easily imagine that the next time I need to program this remote I may have forgotten the ID I used to set it up with. While I keep pretty good track of my IDs and passwords, it will be hard to remember a year from now that I had to use a non-standard ID for this one. I would like to see the software revised to allow for multiple remotes in one account, and the ability to copy configurations from one to another.



On the bright side, the software really does make it easy to configure your televisions, Tivos, DVD players and more. If you have the model number of that device, this is the simplest method of configuring it, and with an extensive database of model numbers - including some very old tvs and the like (judging by my own setup), it is a pretty sure-fire way to set up your Harmony One Remote quickly and easily.



Of course, there are times when you simply cannot find the model number for a device. My bedroom television does not have a model number anywhere that I can find it. So, I used the `learn' function on the Harmony One Remote to teach the Logitech device the correct codes, using my original remote from the television. Even if you haven't the original remote, the remotes are still easy to configure using the brand name and the device type (i.e. Sharp TV) in the Harmony software.



Programming custom buttons for devices is very easy. I like to control the volume on my television while the remote is in Tivo mode, so I simply used the TV remote to program the volume buttons on the Harmony One Remote for the specific TV I will use. This procedure is as simple as lining up the two remotes and clicking the button you are configuring, then letting the Logitech software do its magic!



So far, I have configured a variety of devices with this remote easily: TVs, TiVos, DVD players, VCR, Cable Boxes, and an A/V receiver. None were problematic, and all work very well. I highly recommend the Harmony One Remote for anyone who wants to combine all their remotes to one and prefers ease of configuring. Oh, and it looks pretty sharp, too. Especially with my own photographs downloaded to run a pretty screensaver!

 "The couch potato's Excalibur" 2008-01-30
By Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia)

Using Logitech's Harmony One universal remote control, I can't help but hear Queen's "I'm In Love With My Car" playing in my head. That may be overstating the appeal of this device a bit, but not by much. I haven't been this impressed with a technological gadget since the Flip video camera. The concept of a universal remote control that replaces the various "factory" remotes that come with most home entertainment devices isn't new, but Logitech takes it to a whole new level with this device.



The Harmony One remote includes the remote control unit, a rechargeable battery, charging station with power adapter, USB cable, and a CD that is used to program the device. Setup is extremely user-friendly. Once you have the software installed, you're asked to provide the make and models of the devices you want to control, as well as a few questions on how those devices are used. The software then programs the remote accordingly. The total setup time is roughly 30 minutes, and doesn't require any significant computer skills.



In addition to providing basic operational control over a huge array of audio/video components released since roughly the dawn of time (the dawn of remotes at least), the setup process programs key actions that are real time savers. Instead of using my TV remote to switch the set to Video 3 and then turning on the DVD player to watch a DVD, I just touch the "Play a DVD" button and the remote makes it happen. How cool is that? Right now I have a TV, DVD player, stereo, and iPod home unit controlled by the remote, and as I add or upgrade components, I can use the software to update the remote accordingly.



The remote's design is a wonder all by itself. In addition to the usual array of buttons you expect to find on a universal remote, the Harmony One also boasts a touch screen that works well beyond expectations. The ergonomic design makes the device fit perfectly in your hand, with your thumb resting right near the most utilized buttons.



If you've gone out of your way to make sure you have the best possible home audio and video system, you really need to invest in this uber-cool remote control. It's the perfect accessory for the flat-screen/HD/Blu-Ray era.



UPDATE: I recently upgraded my TV and DVD player, and updating the remote software took less than 10 minutes, including a bit of very user-friendly troubleshooting when things didn't work perfectly the first time. That's one more great feature of this ultimate remote control.

 "Unbelievably easy and intuitive set-up, a nearly flawless remote" 2008-02-11
By W. C. Bryant (Columbus, OH USA)

I need to qualify my perspective by allowing that the last time I took a chance on a universal remote, it was the Phillips Pronto. A thick, wide, heavy brick of an object with a monochrome touch screen. The programming process was so drawn out, that I never got all of my devices into it, and subsequently, this expensive piece of electronics sat in that box full of cables and other bits that resides in everyone's closet. So I admit to being apprehensive a bit when the Harmony One Advanced arrived.



Immediately as I opened the box, I was delighted at the look and feel of the remote. It has some substance, but isn't too heavy. The weight is fairly balanced front to back even with the battery inserted. The front face is a high gloss black, with a touch of silver at the bottom, the back a comfortable matte black rubber-type feel. It is, for lack of a better word, a 'pretty' remote.



So I did what the instructions said; I gathered the make and model numbers of the nine (9) pieces of equipment I wanted to control. I set aside an hour to start the process, and figured I'd continue later as necessary. After installing the software on my laptop, I connected the remote to it, and started following the prompts. I entered all those make and model numbers -- and lo and behold, that was the whole of my set-up experience. I chose how the devices work together, what settings they each need in order to perform an 'Activity' (such as watching a DVD, or playing an Xbox 360), and that was it. After about 10-15 minutes, I was disconnected, and using my new remote without a single hitch. I love that you can hit different activities on the touch screen, and the remote will control multiple objects at the same time, or you can select devices and control each individually as if you had the original remote.



After nearly a month of use, I only have a few concerns. That high gloss black on the face shows fingerprints and grime very easily. I feel like we're constantly wiping it down with a cloth they provided with the package. This isn't a complaint so much as it is an observation. Furthermore, there are already some very fine scratches over the touch screen. I may have to blame one or more of my three dogs for this one though, and not Logitech's choice of materials.



All my old remotes now live in that box with the old pronto. I don't keep them around just in case, because no scenario (no matter how complicated) has required them in my use over the last month. I added a new device (an HD-DVD player) a week or two ago, and it took just a few minutes to have it working just as well as the rest in the Harmony One's interface. This is a brilliant remote, and I literally couldn't be much happier with it. The only feature I wish it had, was its own 'sleep' timer for all the devices. Not all of my electronics do that on their own, and it would have been a nice touch to have been granted that ability by way of the remote's function.



Outside of those with specific RF or Bluetooth needs, I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with this remote. A wonderful addition (subtraction, considering I went from 9 remotes to 1 in this room) to my entertainment experience. Thank you, Logitech!

 "A few minor negatives, like no RF support, but an outstanding remote!!" 2008-01-23
By T. Bux (Barnesville, PA United States)

This is one high end remote, and for as sophisticated as it is, it works wonderfully in a beautifully designed ergonomic frame that is easy to setup and use.



Presentation: Logitech presented the Harmony One in an elegant display box, showing the gleaming black case through clear plastic. The box graphics are nice and do a good job adding to the whole experience. No blister packs here, this feels like you are opening something important.



In the box you will have the following:



Universal Remote

Charging Station

USB Cable

AC Power Adapter

Lithium Ion Battery

CD-Rom with Logitech Software

Installation Guide



Setup: Setup is a cinch, though I must admit I did have some trouble connecting this unit to my Intel iMac. After installing the software the unit did not want to acknowledge my USB connection. There was a number to call. The call center help was very friendly and helpful. Above average tech support. The problem was resolved and we moved forward.



The software is easy to install, and once installed you hook up your remote to your computer through the supplied USB cable. The software then asks you for the items you want to control. (Note: It would be helpful in advance to have the makes and model numbers of everything you want to control.)



After you setup all the items you want to control, the software then asks you how you have your components set up to work. For example, if I want to watch TV, I need to turn on my Dish DVR and turn my TV on and to Video 1. These are called setting up activities, and I'll get to a little later.



After this is all setup to your liking, the software installs the information to your remote, reboots it and you are off to test it out.



I mentioned before the concept of "Activities". One of the major drawbacks of universal remotes in the past was having to control different components, and switch between them to do tasks. This remote does it for you. When you want to watch TV, you simply push the "Watch TV" icon on the color touch screen. The unit will then do all the tasks, turning on the DVR, TV, Sound system, etc, you had to do separately. It is really neat, and a nice time saver.



If you are having trouble, and the system is not working as desired, you can either hook the unit back up to the software or you can utilize the on remote help. The remote will guide you through some dialogue boxes on the color screen to help you resolve your problem.



Remote Operation: The remote works with easily with a surprisingly large number of units. I use a DVR and the buttons seemed laid out perfectly for DVR operation. It also worked my VCR and DVD recorder/player as if it was designed for it, unlike most universal remotes I've used.



It also worked a few things things I never thought of. It works my Sirius Starmate Replay, which I have in its boombox on the living room table. It also worked my relatively cheap Durabrand amplifier as if it was designed for it. For each of these speciality items, special control buttons appear on the touch screen for controls that are specific to that unit and that unit's remote.



Another nice feature is the motion activated backlight. The unit itself is a shiny jet black, and in a dark room you would never be able to find the buttons. But simply pick up the unit, and it lights up, buttons too, for you to easily control.



The only negative I've found is that it doesn't have RF support. I have a Dish Network DVR, and the second television needs to control the DVR through RF, which this unit cannot utilize. So be warned if you need RF, this unit will not do it.



Bottom Line: Few glitches aside, I was extremely impressed with this remote. It is smart, sexy, and works great. From those of you with just a few items to control, to those with dozens, this remote has more than what it takes to control all your audio, visual, and other household units.

 "A worthy replacement for any universal remote new or old!" 2008-01-30
By Lars Milano (Chicago, IL)

Just received this new gadget and although I have not had it for a long time, my initial impressions are overflowing with praise. Logitech upon acquiring Harmony has somehow found the list I made a few years ago about everything I thought was wrong and would do differently with the Harmony line of remotes and have found a solution to them all in this magnificent new version. At least that's what it seems like.



This remote will be replacing my trusty old Harmony 880, which will be relegated to the bedroom after I had inadvertently sat on and crushed the lcd screen on my relatively new Harmony 550 (may it rest in peace). Apparently, the Harmony 880 is a bit more durable than the slimmer 550 because I've been known to sit on that by accident on several occasions without inflicting any damage to the unit. I'm hoping this new beautifully designed Harmony One will be have also have durability to match its looks. Only time will tell, and I will update this review in the near future after I've spent some more quality time with the device.



The quick and dirty:



Form factor and Ergonomics: Brilliant! Fits nicely in my medium sized hand, comfortable to hold, and nicely weighted. Logitech has answered one of my few complaints about the 880 by having raised buttons on the new Harmony One to offer the user some tactile sense of which button to press without having to look down. Also, the rearrangement of buttons makes everything more accessible and the new touch screen looks sharp and works very well - the icing on the cake.



Ease of Use / Programmability: Harmony remotes have always excelled in this regard. The web-based software is intuitive and very easy to setup. It is always updated and has improved greatly over its many versions though the years. Works with both PC's and Macs with a USB port in terms of programming. The activity-based setup with the help functions makes this easy for anyone to use, including the most technology-phobic or electronically-challenged individuals, like my grandmother. My only wish is that perhaps a future software update will allow the user to further customize the icons and graphics on the touchscreen to suit personal tastes.



Functionality: It does everything you need a remote to do. It would've been nice if it had RF and bluetooth functionality (to control the PS3 and other specialized devices) but there are very viable workarounds to that (Nyko bluwave IR for the PS3) and in reality, I have no need for RF functionality. Harmony offers the 890 and Universal offers a few models that do RF but none of them can match the Harmony One's user-friendliness. Perhaps Logitech will release an RF version of this remote in the future, but there is likely a small market for it. Lastly, the charger base is a significant improvement over the 880. For you 880 owners out there, I'm sure you've found its charger base to be unreliable and often unwilling to actually charge your remote unless you position it just right. Logitech has fixed this on the Harmony One. Yet another problem solved. We'll how see it holds up over time but so far, this remote is approaching perfection.



Value: Is this remote worth $250? Depends who you are. Are you a techno-geek gadget-freak or a more practical and sensible person? A Harmony 550 can do just about everything the Harmony One can at a fraction of the cost but then it doesn't look, feel, and work as nice. The Harmony 550 is your Toyota corolla of remotes: dependable, practical, reliable, economical, until you bang it up by accident and it doesn't hold up very well (in my case, inadvertently sit on it). The Harmony One is your Lexus of remotes (or BMW or Mercedes, pick one). It does everything the toyota can but just better and more upscale, and it appears more durable and just feels much nicer... you know, in case you're wondering where the $250 went.



Conclusion: Highly recommended! If you don't have a decent universal-type remote yet, you can't go wrong with this one. It's the best out there but comes at a price. If you already have an 880 or 890, it's a tougher proposition unless you really have $250 burning a hole in your pocket. If you have a 550 or similar and wished it was nicer or just jealous of the Harmony One's fancy touch screen, perhaps you might accidently sit on it and justify an upgrade? It's ok, I won't tell.

Xbox 360 4GB Console Review. The new Xbox 360® 4GB Console. Here today, ready for tomorrow with a brand new, leaner machine. Wi-Fi is built-in for easier connection to the world of entertainment on Xbox LIVE, where HD movies and TV stream in an instant. It’s ready for the controller-free experiences of Kinect — you don’t just play the game, you are the game. Xbox 360 is more games, entertainment and fun. What’s In The Box? • Xbox 360 4GB S Console • Xbox 360 Black Wireless Controller • Xbox 360 Composite A/V cable (standard definition) • One Month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership • 1 year limited warranty on console...

 "New features at a great price!" 2010-08-09
By FTP (Silicon Valley, CA)

The xbox 360 slim with 4 GB. is what the original arcade version should have been, and is definitely worth its $200 price tag.

10 new features of this model are:

1. New Valhalla chip - hopefully improved design to prevent RRoD issue, but tech. reviews noted that the Jasper chip in the older Elite model runs cooler

2. WiFi N - this is the newest wifi standard that is 12X faster (up to 600 Mbits/ sec) than wifi G; you'll need a Wifi N router to get the max. speed

3. digital optical audio port (if your sound system is separate from your TV, then you'll need this to get full 5.1 surround sound)

4. 4 GB of flash memory (although 1.1 GB is used by the game system, but 0.3 GB can be reclaimed by deleting 4 game demos)

5. 5 USB ports (2 in front & 3 in back)

6. slimmer design with side vents (to prevent overheating)

7. dedicated Kinect port (just a convenience feature)

8. only 1 year of warranty (the only negative; older Elite models had 3 yrs.)

9. USB flash drive support (this was a xbox software update released in April 2010)

10. ESPN video streaming (will be included if you are a Gold member, $50/ yr.; should be available about Dec. 2010)



Slim 4 GB vs. 250 GB hard drive:

I bought the 4 GB system over the model with 250 GB hard drive because the xbox now supports game saves/ installs/ downloads and pic/ audio/ video downloads to USB flash drives. It supports 1-2 USB flash drives with 1-16 GB memory (using a 16 GB drive, 1.6 GB is used for formatting). Saving games and media to the USB drives is recommended since loading games and media will be much faster (reading memory is faster than reading hard drive) and more reliable (flash memory rarely fails, unlike hard drives); even the xbox live director recommended using USB drives for storage. If you have such a huge appetite for videos downloads and game demos that 32 GB can not accomodate, then you can always upgrade later with the 250 GB hard drive that will be sold in November; note that the older xbox hard drives are NOT compatible with the slim models. Installing xbox 360 games and game demos on the flash drives is no problem; xbox will ask you which drive to install the game. However, I can not verify if you can install older xbox games like Halo on the flash drive. The only xbox game I have is Halo 2, which does not install on flash. This problem may be specific to Halo 2 because even xbox live does not have Halo 2 for sale, which means Halo 2 is not supported without a xbox hard drive. I'm suspecting that any older games listed on xbox live is enabled for flash installation, but if they're not listed then you'll need a xbox hard drive. This is annoying but not a big issue since there are only a few older xbox games that you may want to play.



XBOX vs. PS3:

I am originally a PS3 and Wii gamer, but finally bought the xbox when the slim 4 GB model was released. To be competitive with the PS3, the xbox had to have the built-in wifi, optical audio port, and USB flash drive support. I was deciding whether to buy another PS3 for $300 since many games require 2 consoles for coop and multiplayer gaming, regardless of what system you choose. However, with this xbox priced at $200, I decided to choose the xbox since it has better coop games, more online gaming, and their video library blows away the PS3 online videos. Xbox music and music videos library needs to expand to the size of their TV and movies selection to be comparable with iTunes. The PS3 has better graphics though not significantly better (expected since PS3 has a better processor), but the XBOX has better coop and multiplayer games. The PS3 controller is better designed, better constructed, and has a rechargeable battery; the D-pad on the included xbox controller creaked without even playing a single game. Also, the PS3 has a Blu-Ray player, but is $100 more than the xbox slim 4 GB model. The xbox Kinect has more features and better specs. than the PS3 Move. With my Wii collecting dust, I decided to wait to see if games for the Kinect are a flop, similar to how many games for the Wii flopped. Anyways by June 2011, Kinect games should be 1/2 price with better selection.



Halo Reach Update:

You can not play Halo Reach coop online without a hard drive; using a USB flash drive does not fix the problem. Microsoft has confirmed this problem, so don't buy this system if coop online is a critical feature for you. The official XBOX FAQ is: "One or more players do not have a certified Xbox 360 hard drive attached to their Xbox 360 console. Some multiplayer aspects of Halo: Reach require an Xbox 360 certified hard drive." Microsoft said they are working on a fix, but Halo ODST had the same problem and that wasn't fixed!

If you're new to xbox, here are my recommended Top 10 coop games: Halo 1,3; Gears of War 1,2; Fable 2,3; HAWX 1,2; Halo Wars & Halo Reach (note: Halo 2 is not supported wo. a hard drive). Happy Gaming!

 "The best yet!" 2010-08-06
By Mikey (NC, USA)

The best Xbox so far. The matte finish, price, 4GB internal is plenty for game saves and some add-ons. If you want more memory, just add 1-2 16GB USB flash sticks. I use USB drives for game saves and full game installs. This way I never have to worry about IF the system breaks on me. I'll always have my personal saves on the flash sticks. I never trust hard drives as they are more prone to fail over a flash stick. Thats why I didn't keep the 250GB version. Plus I don't do demos so I don't need that kind of space. Matte finish does not collect dust and hair like the gloss version does which drove me crazy as I did own the 250GB version for a short time until this version came out. VERY HAPPY with the arcade.

 "Xbox 360 S 4gb" 2010-08-14
By Drew Mohatt

While this is my first Xbox 360, I have used older versions as well. This one tops them all. It gives the most bang for your buck. That's all there is to it. For 200 dollars you get the new Xbox 360 S which has more features then it's predecessors, is smaller, quieter, and runs cooler.



Pros:

-Built in Wifi allows me to connect to my computer hard drive to play music pictures and videos from my PC's hard drive

-Small size makes it convenient and out of the way

-Kinect ready if I every feel ambitious enough to get it.

-extra USB ports for wired controllers/flash drives

-Optical audio out ports



Cons

-not really any.

The 4gb flash memory may be considered a con to some people, but the Xbox 360 S hard drive will soon be sold separately (I'd estimate by the holiday season, and I'm never online so I don't download demos or dlcs. And with the built in

Wifi to read my PC's hard drive why would I need memory? And you can indeed save games to a flash drive.



All in all, this was the best $200 I've ever spent. Great product. Keep it up Microsoft!

 "WHOA WHOA WHOA CALMMMM DOWN HALO FREAKS" 2010-10-24
By Craig M. Wayman

This XBOX 360 is perfect for me. But a lot of people are complaining because the Halo nerds can't play certain levels on Halo Reach because of there isn't enough room on the Hard Drive... take a deep breath, count to ten, and listen to me.



Alright This XBOX 360 only has 4 GB of space right???? Right, BUTTTTTTT YOU CAN USE FLASH DRIVES! I personnally have 2 16 GB Flash drives do the math that's 32GB + 4GB= 36GB of space plenty for me. Not to mention you can delete and reinstall all you want on these flash drives. Oh and by the way 16GB is the maximum amount of memory per flash drive and you are only allowed 2 flash drives plugged in at anytime. But again that's plenty for me.



For instance. I play Call of Duty. Now game saves take about couple hundred KB or so and even map packs take about 500 MB so that's not that much memory. The real chunk of memory get taken up by installing games which makes the XBOX perform smoother and better.



Now me being a Call of Duty player. I am playing with one 16GB Flash Drive. I have COD MW2 installed on it along with some games saves from it and other games, and my map packs and it has 6.9 GB of space left on it. When Black Ops comes out alls I am going to do is delete Modern Warfare 2 off the Flash Drive. Install Black Ops and go take a shower or something while I am waiting for it to install and when i get back Whaaaa Laaaa! and still plenty of room to boot. For those who like to buy games off of XBOX live you can get them just as cheap if not cheaper used from Game Stop or used from Amazon. So don't waste your money on the marketplace have the disk. But it's up to you.





Anyway just real quick you can't just plug your USB Flash drive in and go. You HAVE TO FORMAT IT! Which will render it dedicated to the XBOX 360 and it will erase what ever is on it. That's fine for me because I don't use my flash drives anymore I have an external hard drive.



So with that said you insert your flash drive, go to "System Settings" go to "Memory" you will see the flash drive go to it and format it. After that you are good to go to use it! Done end of story I am out!

 "Just about perfect" 2010-09-20
By Matt Bolea

The 4gb new "slim" xbox is awesome. Despite not having the gloss finish and of course 250 gb hd, its got everything else. I have 2 games right now, Halo Reach and Dantes Inferno, i have rented movies, downloaded avatar accessories, zune, etc... and i still have 3.2 gb of space free, Halo taking up 11mb, and dante a whopping 1mb. Also is you didnt know you can now use any external hard drive to save games as well. So say you got a 8gb flash drive for your pc, you can store games on it! From how it looks so far 4gb can hold alot more games than what most people think..i dont see the need in spending $100 extra for the 250gb..unless you got that money to throw away. It would be nice to have a gloss finish, but its not that big of a deal if you ask me, especially when its all the same thing. Someone else did point out though in Halo Reach, you CANNOT play online co-op for some reason on the 4gb, but remember, just plug in a external and you should be fine! Other little side notes the new xbox is ALOT more quite, all touch no more buttons, a huge vent so it shouldn't have those old overheating RROD problems anymore (i know more than a big vent fixed that problem, but I'm not that tech savy) Overall, i LOVE this new xbox! OH and of course kinect ready! can't wait to see what that's going to be like.



I would suggest this system to anyone thinking about a new gaming console.

Griffin iTrip AutoPilot FM Transmitter Review. Griffin innovation and user-centric design makes setup and operation quick and easy. Press the SmartScan button and tune your car radio to the FM frequency that shows up on iTrip's easy-to-read lighted display. That's all you have to do....

 "Beautiful device, very weak signal." 2010-08-04
By Harold R. Schatz (Raleigh, NC United States)

I ordered the new iTrip and was hoping to use it in my SUV (a 2007 Chrysler Aspen). You download a free app to your iPhone, let it search for an empty piece of FM bandwidth and you're ready to go. The device is beautiful and very well designed. Unfortunately, with recent regulatory changes by the FCC, the allowed amount of signal strength just isn't enough to get a decent signal. Maybe my car has a lot of metal shielding in it, but I held the cable as close as I could to the external antenna, but it just wasn't usable. I ended up returning it. I don't consider this Griffin's fault but rather the FCC for implementing too strict regulations.