I’m trying to figure out what the next couple of reviews are. I have been getting e-mails about the phone so those are on deck for sure. I definitely want to add an updated review for Acronis’ TrueImage 7. As you remember, I reviewed TrueImage 6 a while back and was thrilled with it. Version 7 addresses my few issues and adds a slew of new features along the way. I definitely recommend it and you’ll see why once the review is done. I will also revisit my “last” supposed review list to make sure nothing slips through. Well, you know the drill here…it gets posted when it’s done….and hopefully, it’s worth the wait. 
I did get a few new items in the labs which has slowed things down a bit. I set up an 802.11a wireless network (along with the already existing 802.11b and 802.11g networks) and picked up a new Wacom Graphire2 Tablet (as I gave my older one away to a family member).
Sanyo has a pretty cool digital/video camera called the Xacti DMX C1.
This nifty 3.2 Megapixel camera has a 5.8x optical zoom and captures 2048x1536 resolution pictures. The neatest thing about it is the MPEG-4 video captures. The C1 captures full VGA 640x480 resolution at 30 frames per second. There are various quality modes at that resolution. With the largest SD card of 512MB, you can store 21 minutes of highest quality mode video. Lowering the quality to standard quality will get you 1 hour and 21 minutes which isn’t too bad. The unit only weighs 155 grams so it’s pretty light and very pocketable. Battery life is stated at 130 minutes or 60 minutes in movie mode.
I don’t think this thing will ever make it here in the US but there’s always hoping. The use of MPEG-4 allows the camera to get decent amount of clips when you need it. The only thing holding it back is the high price of 512MB SD media…but that’s bound to change in the near future.
More information can be found at Sanyo’s Xacti DMX site.
A quick look at the Fry’s advertisements today reveals some interesting finds…
As usual, the Emprex Dual Format 4x DVD±R/RW drive is priced at $79.99. No rebates required. Even a brand name TDK 4x DVD±R/RW drive is only $99.99. Emprex’s 8x model is only $129. That’s truly insane. The competition in this market has truly been amazing bringing prices down so fast. Even if it’s not the “best” drive out there, but it certainly is a good deal. I’m hoping the 8x drives will also see the same drops. I’ve heard that some drive makers are going to skip the 8x generation and release 12x or 16x drives. That’s insane! Of course, the biggest roadblock that remains is the lack of certified 8x (or faster rated) media.
Storage continues to be ridiculously cheap. The sweet spot seems to be around 50 cents per GB (after rebates). The Hitachi 200GB drive can be had for as little as $109.99 while the Western Digital 120GB can be had for $58.99. Drives between the 120-200GB range seem to be the best deal right now. I prefer the Hitachi drives since they tend to be good performers and are much quieter than WD drives. I know that’s changing as WD is going to fluid bearings but most of the stuff on sale is the ball bearing models that are too loud for my taste.
Portable USB storage devices continue to litter the market. Generally speaking, the prices are pretty decent. What kills me is the size of some of these things. Most of these things are supposedly designed to hang on your keychain so that they go with your everywhere. The problem is that most of these things are so large. Many look like design was an afterthought. Also, no one reviews these things…except for MaximumPC magazine. They had the funniest and best review I’ve seen so far. They tested these things for durability dropping them, driving over them, and putting them in the washer and dryer. They mentioned wanting to them feed a dog but no one wanted to clean and test the units.
Leave it up to the Japanese to come up with quirky USB devices. Let’s see, so far we have an electric blanket, vibrating toothbrush, cup warmers, fans, lights, and now this:
Yes, it’s a frickin’ humidifier. Why? Why not?! This device is called “Kiri Potta” (or Kiri Potter) and is actually the third model in the series. Below, you can see how it works. Like all these devices, the Kiri Potta gets it’s power from the USB bus and mists your face while you’re on the computer. It not only mists but it also purifies the water.
I don’t know…there’s something not good about mist and humidity near a computer…but at least your face (and maybe your hands) will be nice and moist. They recommend this device for people who are riding the Shinkansen or in airplanes where people tend to get dry. Their website claims that keeping the skin from being dry is essential to being healthy and helping to prevent getting SARS (I’m not kidding about this).
Can you imagine whipping this thing out on your next overseas flight? I’m sure other passengers will appreciate it…assuming you can even explain to airport security what it is and get it on the plane. Given the current climate in travel safety, I can envision someone plugging this thing on in an airplane and having a whole bunch of people gang tackling them thinking they’re trying to “gas” the whole plane. The whole time they will be screaming…“I only wanted fresh, moist skin!!!” ;-p
